[The role of estrogens in hormonal regulation of lipid metabolism in women]

Abstract

In the view of lipid metabolism, adipose tissue and liver are the most important tissues for 17-beta-estradiol, the main estrogen in women's body. The lack of estrogens in women after menopause may cause coronary heart disease. It is considered, that 25 to 50% of positive effect of estrogens which are given to postmenopausal women is connected with their action on lipid metabolism. Blood plasma parameters which characterize lipid metabolism return to their physiological values during estrogens therapy. Estrogens are transferred to adipose tissue cells and liver cells by endocrine and paracrine way. They are also produced in these cells from androgens. In adipocytes 17-beta-estradiol can be stored as its esters with long-chain fatty acids. It was proved that estrogens receptors are present in adipocytes and hepatocytes but their density is much lower than in gonads. On the cellular level estrogens regulate mRNA production for particular proteins among which there are proteins involved in lipid metabolism. In adipose tissue 17-beta-estradiol has a direct effect on lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). In the case of the first enzyme its synthesis is faster, while the synthesis of the latter is slower. On the other hand, indirect action of estrogens on adipose tissue is connected with the stimulation of the releasing of other hormones which increase HSL activity. To this group of hormones there belong catecholamines, growth hormone (GH) and glucagon. In liver 17-beta-estradiol regulates the rate of synthesis of structural apolipoproteins for VLDL and HDL. 17-beta-estradiol reduces the rate of apoB-100 synthesis, while stimulates apoA-I and apoA-II synthesis. HDL fraction containing apoA-I and apoA-II is necessary for chylomicrons and VLDL degradation as well as direct and indirect cholesterol transport to liver. Moreover, in hepatocytes estrogens stimulate the synthesis of apoC-III, while they decrease the synthesis of hepatic lipase (HL). In conclusion, 17-beta-estradiol by regulating lipid metabolism in adipocytes and hepatocytes modulates the concentration of lipid substances in plasma. The lack of 17-beta-estradiol leads likely to various lipid metabolism disorders in women after menopause. Estrogens therapy in these postmenopausal women may result in the improvement of lipid metabolism.