title: Novel insights in SHBG regulation and clinical implications.
abstract: Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is produced and secreted by the liver into the bloodstream where it binds sex steroids and regulates their bioavailability. Traditionally, body mass index (BMI) was thought to be the major determinant of SHBG concentrations and hyperinsulinemia the main cause for low SHBG levels found in obesity. However, no mechanisms have ever been described. Emerging evidence now shows that liver fat content rather than BMI is a strong determinant of circulating SHBG. In this review we discuss evidence demonstrating that insulin might not regulate SHBG production, describe putative molecular mechanisms by which proinflammatory cytokines downregulate SHBG, and comment on recent findings suggesting dietary SHBG regulation. Finally, clinical implications of all of these findings and future perspectives are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Diabetes and Metabolism Research Unit, Vall Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and CIBERDEM (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: rafael.simo@vhir.org.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Simó
authors.affiliation: Diabetes and Metabolism Research Unit, Vall Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and CIBERDEM (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sáez-López
authors.affiliation: Diabetes and Metabolism Research Unit, Vall Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and CIBERDEM (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barbosa-Desongles
authors.affiliation: Diabetes and Metabolism Research Unit, Vall Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and CIBERDEM (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.affiliation: Diabetes and Metabolism Research Unit, Vall Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and CIBERDEM (ISCIII), Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: david.martinez.selva@vhir.org.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Selva
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D009005:Monosaccharides / Q000378:metabolism; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism; D010168:Palmitates / Q000378:metabolism; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007328:Insulin; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D009005:Monosaccharides; D010168:Palmitates; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
keywords: cytokines; insulin; sex hormone-binding globulin