The depot-specific regulation of sex hormones on 11βHSD1 mRNA expression in adipose tissue

Objective: To observe the depot-specific regulation of sex hormones on 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1(11βHSD1) mRNA expression in adipose tissue in child-bearing and menopausal women.Methods: Subcutaneous(Sc) and omental(Om) adipose tissues were obtained from 6 child-bearing(aged 29.83 ± 3.43 years) and 16 menopausal women(aged 65.19 ± 6.81 years).Pieces of adipose tissue were incubated with estrogen or testosterone for 24h.The expression of 11βHSD1 mRNA in adipose tissues was measured by real time PCR.Results: Estrogen increased 11βHSD1 mRNA expression in Sc adipose tissue(P 0.05) but decreased 11βHSD1 mRNA expression in Om adipose tissue by 30% among menopausal women.Androgen decreased 11βHSD1 mRNA expression in Sc adipose tissue of child-bearing period women by 40%(P = 0.001),and up-regulated 11βHSD1 mRNA expression in Om adipose tissue of menopausal women by 1.9 fold(P = 0.005).Conclusion: The sex hormones stimulate 11βHSD1 mRNA expression in adipose tissue in age-and depot-specific pattern,which may be important molecular mechanism of distribution of body fat in child-bearing period and menopausal women.