This Article Full Text 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 Blanchette, S. Articles by Tchernof, A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Blanchette, S. Articles by Tchernof, A. Related Collections Female Endocrinology Obesity

Expression and Activity of 20-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase (AKR1C1) in Abdominal Subcutaneous and Omental Adipose Tissue in Women

Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology Research Center (S.B., K.B., C.R., V.L.-T., A.T.), Department of Nutrition (K.B., A.T.), and Gynecology Unit (P.D.), Laval University Medical Center and Laval University, Québec City, Canada G1V 4G2

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: André Tchernof, Ph.D., Molecular Endocrinology and Oncology Research Center, Department of Nutrition, Laval University Medical Center, 2705 Laurier Boulevard, Room T3–67, Québec City, PQ, Canada G1V 4G2. E-mail: andre.tchernof{at}crchul.ulaval.ca.

We examined the expression and activity of 20-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20-HSD) in abdominal adipose tissue in women. This recently characterized enzyme from the aldoketoreductase 1C family is responsible for the conversion of progesterone into 20-hydroxyprogesterone. Abdominal sc (SC) and omental (OM) adipose tissue biopsies were obtained from a sample of 32 women aged 47.7 ± 5.9 yr (body mass index 27.6 ± 5.0 kg/m²) undergoing abdominal hysterectomies. Body composition and body fat distribution measurements were performed before the surgery by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography, respectively. The expression of 20-HSD was determined by real-time RT-PCR, and its activity was measured in whole-tissue homogenates. mRNA and activity of the enzyme were detected in both the SC and OM fat depots, the two measures being significantly higher in the SC compartment. Women characterized by a visceral adipose tissue area of 100 cm² or greater had an increased 20-HSD conversion rate in their OM adipose tissue, compared with women without visceral obesity (13.99 ± 2.07 vs. 7.92 ± 0.83 fmol/µg protein per 24 h, P < 0.05). Accordingly, a positive correlation was found between OM adipose tissue 20-HSD activity and computed tomography-measured visceral adipose tissue area (r = 0.36, P < 0.05). Significant positive correlations were also found between OM 20-HSD activity and OM adipocyte diameter (r = 0.49, P < 0.05) and OM adipose tissue LPL activity (r = 0.36, P = 0.06). In conclusion, 20-HSD activity and mRNA were detected in SC and OM adipose tissue in women, and OM 20-hydroxylation of progesterone was highest in women with visceral obesity. Additional studies are required to establish whether local conversion of progesterone may impact on the metabolism and function of adipocytes located within the abdominal cavity.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. Blouin, M. Nadeau, J. Mailloux, M. Daris, S. Lebel, V. Luu-The, and A. Tchernof Pathways of adipose tissue androgen metabolism in women: depot differences and modulation by adipogenesis Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, February 1, 2009; 296(2): E244 - E255. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Blouin, C. Richard, G. Brochu, F.-S. Hould, S. Lebel, S. Marceau, S. Biron, V. Luu-The, and A. Tchernof Androgen inactivation and steroid-converting enzyme expression in abdominal adipose tissue in men J. Endocrinol., December 1, 2006; 191(3): 637 - 649. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I J Bujalska, M Quinkler, J W Tomlinson, C T Montague, D M Smith, and P M Stewart Expression profiling of 11{beta}-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-1 and glucocorticoid-target genes in subcutaneous and omental human preadipocytes. J. Mol. Endocrinol., October 1, 2006; 37(2): 327 - 340. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]