This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Schneider, J. Articles by Fishman, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Schneider, J. Articles by Fishman, J.

Effects of Obesity on Estradiol Metabolism: Decreased Formation of Nonuterotropic Metabolites^*

The Rockefeller University (J.S., H.L.B., J.L., K.A., J.F.), New York, New York 10021; and Beth Israel Hospital (G.S.), New York, New York 10003

Address requests for reprints to: Dr. Jack Fishman, The Rockefeller University 1230 York Avenue, New York, New York 10021.

Obesity is associated with an increased incidence of reproductive dysfunction and estrogen-linked diseases. In the present study, we have examined the principal oxidative biotransformations of estradiol in 13 obese premenopausal females and 10 obese males compared to those in 9 premenopausal female and 15 male controls. These studies were carried out using a recently devised, sensitive radiometric method which permits the assessment of the total in vivo oxidative metabolism of estradiol at specific sites (i.e. 17, 16, or C-2) on the steroid molecule. Our results indicate that obesity (>60% above ideal body weight) is associated with significant decreases in hydroxylation at C-2 in both sexes (P < 0.001 for females and P < 0.02 for males) and in oxidation at 17 in premenopausal females (P < 0.05) compared to that in age-matched, normal weight controls. Analysis of the plasma ³H₂O specific activity curves suggested a slight decrease in the rate of 17-oxidation in obese subjects. The extent of hydroxylation at 16 was not significantly affected by obesity. These metabolic alterations documented in obesity could result in a relative hyperestrogenic state, since, unlike the other estrogen metabolites, the 2-hydroxyestrogen compounds display relatively little peripheral estrogenic activity. This metabolic alteration on a prolonged basis might be contributory to the prevalence of certain hormonally related diseases in obese individuals. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 56: 973, 1983)

^* This work was supported by NCI Grant 5P01-CA-22795, NIH Grant 5M01-RR-00102, and a Burroughs Wellcome Fund grant.

Received May 18, 1982.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S.S. Han, J.H. No, Y.T. Jeon, J.W. Kim, N.H. Park, Y.S. Song, S.B. Kang, and H.P. Lee Association of cyclin D1 G870A polymorphism with uterine leiomyoma in women whose body mass index values are above 25 kg/m2 Hum. Reprod., March 1, 2008; 23(3): 525 - 529. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Salih, X. Xu, T. D. Veenstra, A. J. Duleba, H. Fouad, M. Nagamani, and A. Al-Hendy Lower Levels of Urinary 2-Hydroxyestrogens in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., August 1, 2007; 92(8): 3285 - 3291. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Napoli, J. Thompson, R. Civitelli, and R. C Armamento-Villareal Effects of dietary calcium compared with calcium supplements on estrogen metabolism and bone mineral density Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2007; 85(5): 1428 - 1433. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. L. Campbell, K. C. Westerlind, V. J. Harber, G. J. Bell, J. R. Mackey, and K. S. Courneya Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training on Estrogen Metabolism in Premenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., April 1, 2007; 16(4): 731 - 739. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Napoli, S. Donepudi, S. Sheikh, G. B. Rini, and R. Armamento-Villareal Increased 2-Hydroxylation of Estrogen in Women with a Family History of Osteoporosis J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 2005; 90(4): 2035 - 2041. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Atkinson, J. W. Lampe, S. S. Tworoger, C. M. Ulrich, D. Bowen, M. L. Irwin, R. S. Schwartz, B. K. Rajan, Y. Yasui, J. D. Potter, et al. Effects of a Moderate Intensity Exercise Intervention on Estrogen Metabolism in Postmenopausal Women Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., May 1, 2004; 13(5): 868 - 874. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Ursin, M. Wilson, B. E. Henderson, L. N. Kolonel, K. Monroe, H.-P. Lee, A. Seow, M. C. Yu, F. Z. Stanczyk, and E. Gentzschein Do Urinary Estrogen Metabolites Reflect the Differences in Breast Cancer Risk between Singapore Chinese and United States African-American and White Women? Cancer Res., April 1, 2001; 61(8): 3326 - 3329. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				X. Xu, A. M. Duncan, K. E. Wangen, and M. S. Kurzer Soy Consumption Alters Endogenous Estrogen Metabolism in Postmenopausal Women Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., August 1, 2000; 9(8): 781 - 786. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				G. Ursin, S. London, F. Z. Stanczyk, E. Gentzschein, A. Paganini-Hill, R. K. Ross, and M. C. Pike Urinary 2-Hydroxyestrone/16{alpha}-Hydroxyestrone Ratio and Risk of Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women J Natl Cancer Inst, June 16, 1999; 91(12): 1067 - 1072. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. A. BRAY Complications of Obesity Ann Intern Med, December 1, 1985; 103(6_Part_2): 1052 - 1062. [Abstract] [PDF]