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Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1871-5265
ISSN (Online): 2212-3989

Estrogen Regulation of Adipose Tissue Functions: Involvement of Estrogen Receptor Isoforms

Author(s): V. Pallottini, P. Bulzomi, P. Galluzzo, C. Martini and M. Marino

Volume 8, Issue 1, 2008

Page: [52 - 60] Pages: 9

DOI: 10.2174/187152608784139631

Price: $65

Abstract

Adipose tissue has recently been described as one of the major endocrine gland that plays a role in energy homeostasis, lipid metabolism, immune response, and reproduction. An excess of white adipose tissue, caused by a complex interaction between genetic, hormonal, behavioral, and environmental factors, results in obesity: a heterogeneous disorder that predisposes humans to a variety of diseases. Among several hormones, estrogens promote, maintain, and control the typical distribution of body fat and adipose tissue metabolism through still unknown mechanisms. These steroids are known to regulate fat mass, adipose deposition and differentiation, and adipocyte metabolism. Moreover, estrogen deficiency results in increases in adipose tissue, preferentially in visceral fat, which would link obesity to the susceptibility of related disorders. In this review the role of estrogens in adipose tissue differentiation and in the protection against the onset of obesity will be discussed with particular attention being drawn to the underlying molecular mechanisms mediated by estrogen receptor isoforms ERα and ERβ.

Keywords: 17β-Estradiol, Adipose tissue, Estrogen receptor α, Estrogen receptor β, Estrogen receptor signal transduction, Obesity


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