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Review
. 2015 Sep;44(3):663-76.
doi: 10.1016/j.ecl.2015.05.011. Epub 2015 Jun 20.

Regulation of Body Composition and Bioenergetics by Estrogens

Rachael E Van Pelt  1 , Kathleen M Gavin  1 , Wendy M Kohrt  2
Affiliations
Review

Regulation of Body Composition and Bioenergetics by Estrogens

Rachael E Van Pelt et al. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2015 Sep.

Abstract

Evidence points to an important role of estradiol (E2) in the regulation of body composition and bioenergetics. Basic and preclinical research shows that the disruption of E2 signaling through either genetic manipulation or surgical intervention accelerates fat accumulation, with a disproportionate increase in abdominal fat. Clinical evidence for the regulation of body composition and bioenergetics by E2 is less consistent. Evidence exists both for and against menopause as the mediator of changes in body composition. Thus, a need remains to better understand the metabolic actions of estrogens in women and the potential impact on health after the menopause.

Keywords: Adiposity; Body composition; Energy expenditure; Energy intake; Estradiol; Estrogen receptor; Menopause; Ovariectomy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Relative body fat content of wild type (WT) mice and mice with whole-body knockout of estrogen receptor α (αERKO), ERβ (βERKO), both ERα and ERβ (DERKO), or aromatase enzyme (ArKO). Data from Lindberg MK, Weihua Z, Andersson N, et al. Estrogen receptor specificity for the effects of estrogen in ovariectomized mice. J Endocrinol 2002;174(2) and Jones ME, Thorburn AW, Britt KL, et al. Aromatase-deficient (ArKO) mice accumulate excess adipose tissue. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2001;79(1–5):3–9.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Effects of ovariectomy (OVX) and treatment with estradiol (E2) on total body adiposity and abdominal adiposity in mice on caloric restriction (CR), low-fat diet (LF), or high-fat diet (HF). Data from Stubbins RE, Holcomb VB, Hong J, et al. Estrogen modulates abdominal adiposity and protects female mice from obesity and impaired glucose tolerance. Eur J Nutr 2012;51(7):861–870.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Physical activity level of mice and rats in response to ovariectomy (OVX) or OVX with estradiol (E2) treatment relative to sham-operated controls. Data from references , , , , and .
Figure 4
Figure 4
Changes in fat mass and fat-free mass in premenopausal women in response to 12 to 24 weeks of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHAG) therapy. Data from references –.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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