Sex hormone and neuroendocrine aspects of the metabolic syndrome.

Abstract We discuss the recent advances in the knowledge that the sex steroids testosterone (T), estradiol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) are involved in the development of visceral obesity and of the metabolic syndrome. Cross talk between leptin and the androgen receptor (AR) in the hypothalamus as well as the peripheral conversion of DHEA and T to estrone, estradiol and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in adipocytes and hepatocytes play important roles in the metabolic syndrome in men. Finally, we discuss the development of new drugs, selective AR modulators, for treating the metabolic syndrome in men.