Sex Differences in Plasma and Adipose Steroid Concentrations in Men and Women with Severe Obesity

• Published in: Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) Md.), 2021-12, Vol.29, p.160-160
• Main Authors: Ostinelli, Giada, Laforest, Sofia, Denham, Scott, Gauthier, Marie-Frederique, Drolet-Labelle, Virginie, Scott, Emma, Bouvet-Bouchard, Leonie, Biertho, Laurent, Homer, Natalie M, Andrew, Ruth, Tchernof, Andre
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Androgens; Body fat; Estrogens; Gastrointestinal surgery; Gender differences; Obesity; Plasma; Sexes; Steroids; Women
• ISSN: 1930-7381; 1930-739X

Background: Many sex differences in plasma concentrations of sex steroid hormones have been described. Whether levels differ within adipose tissue is less well known, mainly due to the difficulty of obtaining samples and reliably measuring steroids in situ. Steroid hormones have been linked to body fat distribution, a feature of adiposity that is known to differ between sexes. Our hypothesis was that there are sex differences in the amounts of glucocorticoids, androgens and estrogens in adipose tissues of individuals with obesity. Methods: Samples of plasma, subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were obtained with ethical approval from 40 patients (31 women, 9 men) undergoing bariatric surgery. Adipocyte size was measured by histomorphometry. Plasma steroids were extracted by supported liquid extraction (SLE) and measured by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Liquid- and solid-phase extraction was used for adipose steroids, which were quantified by LC-ESI-MS/ MS. Results: Men had larger VAT adipocytes and had significantly more inert cortisone (p < 0.05) in plasma and SAT compared to women. No significant sex differences were found in plasma or tissue cortisol. Plasma androgens, including testosterone (T) and 5alphadihydrotesterone (DHT) were higher in men compared to women (p < 0.001 for both). Similar differences were seen in intra-adipose DHT concentrations (p < 0.05 in VAT). Finally, women showed higher plasma levels of estradiol and estrone compared to men (p < 0.05), however no sex differences were seen in intra-adipose estrogens concentrations. Conclusions: Plasma DHT displayed a clear sex difference which was also observed in VAT. However, intra-adipose cortisol and estrogens concentrations did not differ between sexes, suggesting a potential role of adipose steroid synthesis or catabolism locally influencing their signaling cascades in obesity.