Estrogen: An Emerging Regulator of Insulin Action and Mitochondrial Function

Clinical trials and animal studies have revealed that loss of circulating estrogen induces rapid changes in whole body metabolism, fat distribution, and insulin action. The metabolic effects of estrogen are mediated primarily by its receptor, estrogen receptor-α; however, the detailed understanding...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Anisha A. Gupte, Henry J. Pownall, Dale J. Hamilton
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2015-01-01
Series:Journal of Diabetes Research
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/916585
Description
Summary:Clinical trials and animal studies have revealed that loss of circulating estrogen induces rapid changes in whole body metabolism, fat distribution, and insulin action. The metabolic effects of estrogen are mediated primarily by its receptor, estrogen receptor-α; however, the detailed understanding of its mechanisms is incomplete. Recent investigations suggest that estrogen receptor-α elicits the metabolic effects of estrogen by genomic, nongenomic, and mitochondrial mechanisms that regulate insulin signaling, substrate oxidation, and energetics. This paper reviews clinical and experimental studies on the mechanisms of estrogen and the current state of knowledge regarding physiological and pathobiological influences of estrogen on metabolism.
ISSN:2314-6745
2314-6753