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Adipose and Liver Function in Primate Offspring with Insulin Resistance Induced by Estrogen Deprivation in Utero

Soon Ok Kim1, Graham Aberdeen2, Terrie J Lynch1

  • 1Department of Physiological Sciences, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA.

Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Journal
|July 10, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Estrogen deprivation during pregnancy leads to insulin resistance in offspring, primarily due to impaired skeletal muscle function, not adipose or liver issues.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Health
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Estrogen plays a crucial role in fetal development.
  • Prenatal estrogen deprivation has been linked to offspring insulin resistance.
  • Skeletal muscle is a primary site for glucose disposal and insulin action.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of in utero estrogen deprivation on adipose and hepatic function in baboon offspring.
  • To determine if adipose tissue or liver dysfunction contributes to the observed insulin resistance.
  • To support the hypothesis that estrogen programs fetal skeletal muscle for insulin sensitivity.

Main Methods:

  • Baboons were treated with letrozole to suppress estrogen during the second half of gestation.
  • Offspring were assessed for fasting serum levels of glucose, adiponectin, leptin, liver function analytes, and free fatty acids (FFA).
  • Glucose tolerance tests were performed to evaluate FFA dynamics post-glucose challenge.

Main Results:

  • Offspring of estrogen-deprived baboons exhibited normal adipose and liver function.
  • Fasting serum levels of key metabolic markers and liver function tests were similar between control and treated groups.
  • Normal glucose-induced suppression of serum FFA levels was observed in estrogen-deprived offspring.

Conclusions:

  • In utero estrogen deprivation does not cause adipose or liver insulin resistance in baboon offspring.
  • The observed insulin resistance in these offspring is likely due to impaired skeletal muscle insulin-stimulated glucose clearance.
  • Estrogen during gestation appears to program fetal skeletal muscle to ensure long-term insulin sensitivity.
Abstract

Keywords:
Estrogenadiposeinsulin sensitivityoffspringprimate

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