Effects of oestrogens on adipose tissues

W.C. Boon, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3051, Australia.

Adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ, it secretes a variety of hormones (including oestrogens) and inflammatory mediators, that have important implications in numerous obesity-associated diseases such diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The storage and release of these endocrine factors is depot-dependent and influenced by the oestrogenic and androgenic status of the adipose tissue. Oestrogen receptors mediate both the genomic and non-genomic actions of oestrogens. All three known oestrogen receptors, ERα, ERβ and the G-protein coupled oestrogen receptor (GPER/GPR30) are expressed in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues. Oestrogen insufficiency has been linked to increase body weight and metabolic syndrome after menopause in women. We use the oestrogen deficient model - aromatase knockout mouse model to understand the effects of oestrogens on adipose tissues. It is a model to test specific exogenous oestrogen dosage without the interference of uncontrolled endogenous oestrogen production from extra-gonadal tissues.