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Expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 and 2 in subcutaneous adipose tissue of lean and obese women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome

International Journal of Obesity volume 33, pages 1249–1256 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate the expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) type 1 and 2 and hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PDH) mRNA in subcutaneous abdominal tissue from lean and obese women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and to investigate the association between these enzymes and different measures of insulin sensitivity.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Subjects:

A total of 60 women, 36 women with PCOS, 17 lean (lean PCOS, LP) and 19 obese (obese PCOS, OP) and 24 age- and weight-matched control women, 8 lean (lean controls, LC) and 16 obese (obese controls, OC). Subcutaneous adipose tissue was collected from the abdomen. Peripheral insulin sensitivity was assessed by the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp and determined as glucose disposal rate and insulin sensitivity index. Whole-body insulin sensitivity was calculated using homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index. Body composition was evaluated by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Adipose mRNA expression of leptin and adiponectin were determined by real-time PCR.

Results:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (P<0.05) and obesity (P<0.05) were independently associated with increased expression of 11β-HSD1 mRNA. The subgroups LP and OC had increased 11β-HSD1 and 11β-HSD2 mRNA expression compared with LC (P<0.05, P<0.05). There were no effects of PCOS or obesity on11β-HSD2 or H6PDH mRNA expression. Decreased peripheral insulin sensitivity (P<0.001) and increased upper body fat distribution (P<0.01) were associated with increased expression of 11β-HSD1, but neither 11β-HSD2 nor H6PDH.

Conclusion:

Polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity are independently associated with increased expression of 11β-HSD1. This may lead to increased conversion of cortisone to cortisol in the peripheral adipose tissue and subsequently increased glucocorticoid activity. Decreased peripheral insulin sensitivity and central obesity was associated with increased expression of 11β-HSD1.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Susanne Reimar for technical assistance and ‘The Aage Bangs Foundation’ for economical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark

    P F Svendsen & L Nilas

  2. Department of Endocrinology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark

    S Madsbad

  3. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism C, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus Sygehus, Denmark

    S K Paulsen & S B Pedersen

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  1. P F Svendsen
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Correspondence to P F Svendsen.

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Svendsen, P., Madsbad, S., Nilas, L. et al. Expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 and 2 in subcutaneous adipose tissue of lean and obese women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome. Int J Obes 33, 1249–1256 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2009.165

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