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Soto Sauza KA, Ryan KK. FGF21 mediating the Sex-dependent Response to Dietary Macronutrients. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2024; 109:e1689-e1696. [PMID: 38801670 PMCID: PMC11319005 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgae363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Sex is key variable influencing body composition and substrate utilization. At rest, females maintain greater adiposity than males and resist the mobilization of fat. Males maintain greater lean muscle mass and mobilize fat readily. Determining the mechanisms that direct these sex-dependent effects is important for both reproductive and metabolic health. Here, we highlight the fundamental importance of sex in shaping metabolic physiology and assess growing evidence that the hepatokine fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) plays a mechanistic role to facilitate sex-dependent responses to a changing nutritional environment. First, we examine the importance of sex in modulating body composition and substrate utilization. We summarize new data that point toward sex-biased effects of pharmacologic FGF21 administration on these endpoints. When energy is not limited, metabolic responses to FGF21 mirror broader sex differences; FGF21-treated males conserve lean mass at the expense of increased lipid catabolism, whereas FGF21-treated females conserve fat mass at the expense of reduced lean mass. Next, we examine the importance of sex in modulating the endogenous secretion of FGF21 in response to changing macronutrient and energy availability. During the resting state when energy is not limited, macronutrient imbalance increases the secretion of FGF21 more so in males than females. When energy is limited, the effect of sex on both the secretion of FGF21 and its metabolic actions may be reversed. Altogether, we argue that a growing literature supports FGF21 as a plausible mechanism contributing to the sex-dependent mobilization vs preservation of lipid storage and highlight the need for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla A Soto Sauza
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Karen K Ryan
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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2
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Koceva A, Herman R, Janez A, Rakusa M, Jensterle M. Sex- and Gender-Related Differences in Obesity: From Pathophysiological Mechanisms to Clinical Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7342. [PMID: 39000449 PMCID: PMC11242171 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity, primarily characterized by excessive fat accumulation, is a multifactorial chronic disease with an increasing global prevalence. Despite the well-documented epidemiology and significant advances in understanding its pathophysiology and clinical implications, the impact of sex is typically overlooked in obesity research. Worldwide, women have a higher likelihood to become obese compared to men. Although women are offered weight loss interventions more often and at earlier stages than men, they are more vulnerable to psychopathology. Men, on the other hand, are less likely to pursue weight loss intervention and are more susceptible to the metabolic implications of obesity. In this narrative review, we comprehensively explored sex- and gender-specific differences in the development of obesity, focusing on a variety of biological variables, such as body composition, fat distribution and energy partitioning, the impact of sex steroid hormones and gut microbiota diversity, chromosomal and genetic variables, and behavioural and sociocultural variables influencing obesity development in men and women. Sex differences in obesity-related comorbidities and varying effectiveness of different weight loss interventions are also extensively discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrijana Koceva
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, University Medical Center Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Rok Herman
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Center Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andrej Janez
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Center Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Matej Rakusa
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Center Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mojca Jensterle
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Medical Center Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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3
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Qadir MMF, Elgamal RM, Song K, Kudtarkar P, Sakamuri SS, Katakam PV, El-Dahr SS, Kolls JK, Gaulton KJ, Mauvais-Jarvis F. Single cell regulatory architecture of human pancreatic islets suggests sex differences in β cell function and the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4607352. [PMID: 39011095 PMCID: PMC11247939 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4607352/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Type 2 and type 1 diabetes (T2D, T1D) exhibit sex differences in insulin secretion, the mechanisms of which are unknown. We examined sex differences in human pancreatic islets from 52 donors with and without T2D combining single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq), single nucleus assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (snATAC-seq), hormone secretion, and bioenergetics. In nondiabetic (ND) donors, sex differences in islet cells gene accessibility and expression predominantly involved sex chromosomes. Islets from T2D donors exhibited similar sex differences in sex chromosomes differentially expressed genes (DEGs), but also exhibited sex differences in autosomal genes. Comparing β cells from T2D vs. ND donors, gene enrichment of female β cells showed suppression in mitochondrial respiration, while male β cells exhibited suppressed insulin secretion. Thus, although sex differences in gene accessibility and expression of ND β cells predominantly affect sex chromosomes, the transition to T2D reveals sex differences in autosomes highlighting mitochondrial failure in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirza Muhammad Fahd Qadir
- Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, John W. Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Tulane Center of Excellence in Sex-Based Biology & Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Ruth M. Elgamal
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Keijing Song
- Center for Translational Research in Infection and Inflammation, John W. Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Parul Kudtarkar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Siva S.V.P Sakamuri
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Prasad V. Katakam
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Samir S. El-Dahr
- Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jay K. Kolls
- Center for Translational Research in Infection and Inflammation, John W. Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Kyle J. Gaulton
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Franck Mauvais-Jarvis
- Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, John W. Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Tulane Center of Excellence in Sex-Based Biology & Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
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4
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Zhang P, Munier JJ, Wiese CB, Vergnes L, Link JC, Abbasi F, Ronquillo E, Scheker K, Muñoz A, Kuang YL, Theusch E, Lu M, Sanchez G, Oni-Orisan A, Iribarren C, McPhaul MJ, Nomura DK, Knowles JW, Krauss RM, Medina MW, Reue K. X chromosome dosage drives statin-induced dysglycemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5571. [PMID: 38956041 PMCID: PMC11219728 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49764-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Statin drugs lower blood cholesterol levels for cardiovascular disease prevention. Women are more likely than men to experience adverse statin effects, particularly new-onset diabetes (NOD) and muscle weakness. Here we find that impaired glucose homeostasis and muscle weakness in statin-treated female mice are associated with reduced levels of the omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), impaired redox tone, and reduced mitochondrial respiration. Statin adverse effects are prevented in females by administering fish oil as a source of DHA, by reducing dosage of the X chromosome or the Kdm5c gene, which escapes X chromosome inactivation and is normally expressed at higher levels in females than males. As seen in female mice, we find that women experience more severe reductions than men in DHA levels after statin administration, and that DHA levels are inversely correlated with glucose levels. Furthermore, induced pluripotent stem cells from women who developed NOD exhibit impaired mitochondrial function when treated with statin, whereas cells from men do not. These studies identify X chromosome dosage as a genetic risk factor for statin adverse effects and suggest DHA supplementation as a preventive co-therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peixiang Zhang
- Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joseph J Munier
- Molecular, Cellular & Integrative Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carrie B Wiese
- Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Laurent Vergnes
- Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Jenny C Link
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Biology, Whittier College, Whittier, CA, USA
| | - Fahim Abbasi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Diabetes Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Emilio Ronquillo
- Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Katherine Scheker
- Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Antonio Muñoz
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Yu-Lin Kuang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Theusch
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Meng Lu
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA, USA
| | | | - Akinyemi Oni-Orisan
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Michael J McPhaul
- Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, San Juan Capistrano, CA, 92675, USA
| | - Daniel K Nomura
- Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, and Novartis-Berkeley Center of Proteomics and Chemistry Technologies, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Joshua W Knowles
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiovascular Institute, Diabetes Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ronald M Krauss
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Marisa W Medina
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Karen Reue
- Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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5
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Sisk-Hackworth L, Akhavan SR, Krutkin DD, Kelley ST, Thackray VG. Genetic hypogonadal (Gnrh1 hpg) mouse model uncovers influence of reproductive axis on maturation of the gut microbiome during puberty. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.01.601610. [PMID: 39005422 PMCID: PMC11245025 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.01.601610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
The gut microbiome plays a key role in human health and gut dysbiosis is linked to many sex-specific diseases including autoimmune, metabolic, and neurological disorders. Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis during puberty leads to sexual maturation and development of sex differences through the action of gonadal sex steroids. While the gut microbiome also undergoes sex differentiation, the mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. Using a genetic hypogonadal (hpg) mouse model, we sampled the fecal microbiome of male and female wild-type and hpg mutant mice before and after puberty to determine how microbial taxonomy and function are influenced by age, sex, and the HPG axis. We showed that HPG axis activation during puberty is required for sexual maturation of the gut microbiota composition, community structure, and metabolic functions. We also demonstrated that some sex differences in taxonomic composition and amine metabolism developed independently of the HPG axis, indicating that sex chromosomes are sufficient for certain sex differences in the gut microbiome. In addition, we showed that age, independent of HPG axis activation, led to some aspects of pubertal maturation of the gut microbiota community composition and putative functions. These results have implications for microbiome-based treatments, indicating that sex, hormonal status, and age should be considered when designing microbiome-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sisk-Hackworth
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Shayan R Akhavan
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Dennis D Krutkin
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Scott T Kelley
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Varykina G Thackray
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Booijink R, Ramachandran P, Bansal R. Implications of innate immune sexual dimorphism for MASLD pathogenesis and treatment. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2024; 45:614-627. [PMID: 38853100 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2024.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is significantly higher in men versus women. Increased prevalence is observed in postmenopausal women, suggesting that age and sex (hormones) influence MASLD development and progression. Molecular data further reveal that sex regulates the innate immune responses with an essential role in MASLD progression. To date, there has been limited focus on the role of innate immune sexual dimorphism in MASLD, and differences between men and women are not considered in the current drug discovery landscape. In this review, we summarize the sex disparities and innate immune sexual dimorphism in MASLD pathogenesis. We further highlight the importance of harnessing sexual dimorphism in identifying therapeutic targets, developing pharmacological therapies, and designing (pre-) clinical studies for the personalized treatment for MASLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richell Booijink
- Personalized Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Department of Bioengineering Technologies, Technical Medical Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Prakash Ramachandran
- University of Edinburgh Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ruchi Bansal
- Personalized Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Department of Bioengineering Technologies, Technical Medical Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
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7
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Rubin JB, Abou-Antoun T, Ippolito JE, Llaci L, Marquez CT, Wong JP, Yang L. Epigenetic developmental mechanisms underlying sex differences in cancer. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e180071. [PMID: 38949020 PMCID: PMC11213507 DOI: 10.1172/jci180071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer risk is modulated by hereditary and somatic mutations, exposures, age, sex, and gender. The mechanisms by which sex and gender work alone and in combination with other cancer risk factors remain underexplored. In general, cancers that occur in both the male and female sexes occur more commonly in XY compared with XX individuals, regardless of genetic ancestry, geographic location, and age. Moreover, XY individuals are less frequently cured of their cancers, highlighting the need for a greater understanding of sex and gender effects in oncology. This will be necessary for optimal laboratory and clinical cancer investigations. To that end, we review the epigenetics of sexual differentiation and its effect on cancer hallmark pathways throughout life. Specifically, we will touch on how sex differences in metabolism, immunity, pluripotency, and tumor suppressor functions are patterned through the epigenetic effects of imprinting, sex chromosome complement, X inactivation, genes escaping X inactivation, sex hormones, and life history.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Joseph E. Ippolito
- Department of Radiology
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
| | - Lorida Llaci
- Deartment of Genetics Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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8
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Qadir MMF, Elgamal RM, Song K, Kudtarkar P, Sakamuri SS, Katakam PV, El-Dahr S, Kolls J, Gaulton KJ, Mauvais-Jarvis F. Single cell regulatory architecture of human pancreatic islets suggests sex differences in β cell function and the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.11.589096. [PMID: 38645001 PMCID: PMC11030320 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.11.589096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Biological sex affects the pathogenesis of type 2 and type 1 diabetes (T2D, T1D) including the development of β cell failure observed more often in males. The mechanisms that drive sex differences in β cell failure is unknown. Studying sex differences in islet regulation and function represent a unique avenue to understand the sex-specific heterogeneity in β cell failure in diabetes. Here, we examined sex and race differences in human pancreatic islets from up to 52 donors with and without T2D (including 37 donors from the Human Pancreas Analysis Program [HPAP] dataset) using an orthogonal series of experiments including single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq), single nucleus assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (snATAC-seq), dynamic hormone secretion, and bioenergetics. In cultured islets from nondiabetic (ND) donors, in the absence of the in vivo hormonal environment, sex differences in islet cell type gene accessibility and expression predominantly involved sex chromosomes. Of particular interest were sex differences in the X-linked KDM6A and Y-linked KDM5D chromatin remodelers in female and male islet cells respectively. Islets from T2D donors exhibited similar sex differences in differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from sex chromosomes. However, in contrast to islets from ND donors, islets from T2D donors exhibited major sex differences in DEGs from autosomes. Comparing β cells from T2D and ND donors revealed that females had more DEGs from autosomes compared to male β cells. Gene set enrichment analysis of female β cell DEGs showed a suppression of oxidative phosphorylation and electron transport chain pathways, while male β cell had suppressed insulin secretion pathways. Thus, although sex-specific differences in gene accessibility and expression of cultured ND human islets predominantly affect sex chromosome genes, major differences in autosomal gene expression between sexes appear during the transition to T2D and which highlight mitochondrial failure in female β cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirza Muhammad Fahd Qadir
- Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, John W. Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Tulane Center of Excellence in Sex-Based Biology & Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Ruth M. Elgamal
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Keijing Song
- Center for Translational Research in Infection and Inflammation, John W. Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Parul Kudtarkar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Siva S.V.P Sakamuri
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Prasad V. Katakam
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Samir El-Dahr
- Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jay Kolls
- Center for Translational Research in Infection and Inflammation, John W. Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Kyle J. Gaulton
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Franck Mauvais-Jarvis
- Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, John W. Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Tulane Center of Excellence in Sex-Based Biology & Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
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9
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Sakamuri A, Visniauskas B, Kilanowski-Doroh I, McNally AB, Imulinde A, Kamau A, Sengottaian D, McLachlan J, Anguera M, Mauvais-Jarvis F, Lindsey SH, Ogola BO. Testosterone deficiency promotes arterial stiffening independent of sex chromosome complement. Biol Sex Differ 2024; 15:46. [PMID: 38845040 PMCID: PMC11155160 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-024-00624-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex hormones and sex chromosomes play a vital role in cardiovascular disease. Testosterone plays a crucial role in men's health. Lower testosterone level is associated with cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases, including inflammation, atherosclerosis, and type 2 diabetes. Testosterone replacement is beneficial or neutral to men's cardiovascular health. Testosterone deficiency is associated with cardiovascular events. Testosterone supplementation to hypogonadal men improves libido, increases muscle strength, and enhances mood. We hypothesized that sex chromosomes (XX and XY) interaction with testosterone plays a role in arterial stiffening. METHODS We used four core genotype male mice to understand the inherent contribution of sex hormones and sex chromosome complement in arterial stiffening. Age-matched mice were either gonadal intact or castrated at eight weeks plus an additional eight weeks to clear endogenous sex hormones. This was followed by assessing blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, echocardiography, and ex vivo passive vascular mechanics. RESULTS Arterial stiffening but not blood pressure was more significant in castrated than testes-intact mice independent of sex chromosome complement. Castrated mice showed a leftward shift in stress-strain curves and carotid wall thinning. Sex chromosome complement (XX) in the absence of testosterone increased collagen deposition in the aorta and Kdm6a gene expression. CONCLUSION Testosterone deprivation increases arterial stiffening and vascular wall remodeling. Castration increases Col1α1 in male mice with XX sex chromosome complement. Our study shows decreased aortic contractile genes in castrated mice with XX than XY sex chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Sakamuri
- Vascular Biology Center and Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ariane Imulinde
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Anne Kamau
- Vascular Biology Center and Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Divya Sengottaian
- Vascular Biology Center and Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - John McLachlan
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Montserrat Anguera
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Franck Mauvais-Jarvis
- Tulane Center of Excellence in Sex-Based Biology & Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Healthcare System Medical Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Deming Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Sarah H Lindsey
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Tulane Center of Excellence in Sex-Based Biology & Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Benard O Ogola
- Vascular Biology Center and Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
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10
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Sal-Sarria S, López-Taboada I, González-Pardo H, Conejo NM. A shift to a standard diet after exposure to a high-fat, high-sucrose diet from gestation to weaning restores brain metabolism and behavioral flexibility in adult rats. Behav Brain Res 2024; 467:115020. [PMID: 38679144 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Prolonged consumption of diets high in saturated fat and sugar has been related to obesity and overweight, which in turn are linked to cognitive impairment in both humans and rodents. This has become a current issue, especially in children and adolescents, because these stages are crucial to neurodevelopmental processes and programming of adult behavior. To evaluate the effects of gestational and early exposure to an obesogenic diet, three groups with different dietary patterns were established: high-fat and high-sucrose diet (HFS), standard diet (SD), and a dietary shift from a high-fat, high-sucrose diet to a standard diet after weaning (R). Spatial learning and behavioral flexibility in adult male and female Wistar rats were evaluated using the Morris water maze (MWM) at PND 60. Furthermore, regional brain oxidative metabolism was assessed in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. Contrary to our hypothesis, the HFS diet groups showed similar performance on the spatial learning task as the other groups, although they showed impaired cognitive flexibility. The HFS group had increased brain metabolic capacity compared to that of animals fed the standard diet. Shifting from the HFS diet to the SD diet after weaning restored the brain metabolic capacity in both sexes to levels similar to those observed in animals fed the SD diet. In addition, animals in the R group performed similarly to those fed the SD diet in the Morris water maze in both tasks. However, dietary shift from HFS diet to standard diet after weaning had only moderate sex-dependent effects on body weight and fat distribution. In conclusion, switching from an HFS diet to a balanced diet after weaning would have beneficial effects on behavioral flexibility and brain metabolism, without significant sex differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saúl Sal-Sarria
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; Institute of Neurosciences of the Principality of Asturias (INEUROPA), Oviedo, Spain; Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Isabel López-Taboada
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; Institute of Neurosciences of the Principality of Asturias (INEUROPA), Oviedo, Spain; Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Héctor González-Pardo
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; Institute of Neurosciences of the Principality of Asturias (INEUROPA), Oviedo, Spain; Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Nélida M Conejo
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; Institute of Neurosciences of the Principality of Asturias (INEUROPA), Oviedo, Spain; Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain.
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Arnold AP, Klein SL, McCarthy MM, Mogil JS. Male-female comparisons are powerful in biomedical research - don't abandon them. Nature 2024; 629:37-40. [PMID: 38693409 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-024-01205-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
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12
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King DE, Sparling AC, Joyce AS, Ryde IT, DeSouza B, Ferguson PL, Murphy SK, Meyer JN. Lack of detectable sex differences in the mitochondrial function of Caenorhabditis elegans. BMC Ecol Evol 2024; 24:55. [PMID: 38664688 PMCID: PMC11046947 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-024-02238-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex differences in mitochondrial function have been reported in multiple tissue and cell types. Additionally, sex-variable responses to stressors including environmental pollutants and drugs that cause mitochondrial toxicity have been observed. The mechanisms that establish these differences are thought to include hormonal modulation, epigenetic regulation, double dosing of X-linked genes, and the maternal inheritance of mtDNA. Understanding the drivers of sex differences in mitochondrial function and being able to model them in vitro is important for identifying toxic compounds with sex-variable effects. Additionally, understanding how sex differences in mitochondrial function compare across species may permit insight into the drivers of these differences, which is important for basic biology research. This study explored whether Caenorhabditis elegans, a model organism commonly used to study stress biology and toxicology, exhibits sex differences in mitochondrial function and toxicant susceptibility. To assess sex differences in mitochondrial function, we utilized four male enriched populations (N2 wild-type male enriched, fog-2(q71), him-5(e1490), and him-8(e1498)). We performed whole worm respirometry and determined whole worm ATP levels and mtDNA copy number. To probe whether sex differences manifest only after stress and inform the growing use of C. elegans as a mitochondrial health and toxicologic model, we also assessed susceptibility to a classic mitochondrial toxicant, rotenone. RESULTS We detected few to no large differences in mitochondrial function between C. elegans sexes. Though we saw no sex differences in vulnerability to rotenone, we did observe sex differences in the uptake of this lipophilic compound, which may be of interest to those utilizing C. elegans as a model organism for toxicologic studies. Additionally, we observed altered non-mitochondrial respiration in two him strains, which may be of interest to other researchers utilizing these strains. CONCLUSIONS Basal mitochondrial parameters in male and hermaphrodite C. elegans are similar, at least at the whole-organism level, as is toxicity associated with a mitochondrial Complex I inhibitor, rotenone. Our data highlights the limitation of using C. elegans as a model to study sex-variable mitochondrial function and toxicological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dillon E King
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, 308 Research Drive, A304, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - A Clare Sparling
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, 308 Research Drive, A304, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Abigail S Joyce
- Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ian T Ryde
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, 308 Research Drive, A304, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Beverly DeSouza
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - P Lee Ferguson
- Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Susan K Murphy
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, 308 Research Drive, A304, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Joel N Meyer
- Nicholas School of Environment, Duke University, 308 Research Drive, A304, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
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Noroozzadeh M, Rahmati M, Amiri M, Saei Ghare Naz M, Azizi F, Ramezani Tehrani F. Preconceptional maternal hyperandrogenism and metabolic syndrome risk in male offspring: a long-term population-based study. J Endocrinol Invest 2024:10.1007/s40618-024-02374-7. [PMID: 38647948 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-024-02374-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE There is limited research on the effects of maternal hyperandrogenism (MHA) on cardiometabolic risk factors in male offspring. We aimed to compare the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in sons of women with preconceptional hyperandrogenism (HA) to those of non-HA women in later life. METHODS Using data obtained from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Cohort Study, with an average of 20 years follow-up, 1913 sons were divided into two groups based on their MHA status, sons with MHA (n = 523) and sons without MHA (controls n = 1390). The study groups were monitored from the baseline until either the incidence of events, censoring, or the end of the study period, depending on which occurred first. Age-scaled unadjusted and adjusted Cox regression models were utilized to evaluate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between MHA and MetS in their sons. RESULTS There was no significant association between MHA and HR of MetS in sons with MHA compared to controls, even after adjustment (unadjusted HR (95% CI) 0.94 (0.80-1.11), P = 0.5) and (adjusted HR (95% CI) 0.98 (0.81-1.18), P = 0.8). Sons with MHA showed a HR of 1.35 for developing high fasting blood sugar compared to controls (unadjusted HR (95% CI) 1.35 (1.01-1.81), P = 0.04), however, after adjustment this association did not remain significant (adjusted HR (95% CI) 1.25 (0.90-1.74), P = 0.1). CONCLUSION The results suggest that preconceptional MHA doesn't increase the risk of developing MetS in sons in later life. According to this suggestion, preconceptional MHA may not have long-term metabolic consequences in male offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Noroozzadeh
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - M Rahmati
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - M Amiri
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- The Foundation for Research & Education Excellence, Vestavia Hills, AL, USA
| | - M Saei Ghare Naz
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - F Azizi
- Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - F Ramezani Tehrani
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- The Foundation for Research & Education Excellence, Vestavia Hills, AL, USA.
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14
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Berroug L, Laaroussi M, Essaidi O, Malqui H, Anarghou H, Chaoui AA, Najimi M, Chigr F. Sex-specific neurobehavioral and biochemical effects of developmental exposure to Malathion in offspring mice. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:2215-2231. [PMID: 37804342 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02749-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Malathion is an organophosphate pesticide (OP) commonly used in agriculture, industry, and veterinary medicine. Sex is a crucial factor in responding to neurotoxicants, yet the sex-specific effects of OP exposure, particularly neurological impairments following chronic low-level exposure remains limited. Our study aims to evaluate the neurobehavioral and biochemical effects of developmental exposure to Malathion across sexes. Pregnant mice were exposed to a low oral dose of Malathion from gestation up to the weaning of the pups, which were individually gavaged with a similar dose regimen until postnatal day 70. Our results show that Malathion decreased body weight and food intake, reduced locomotor activity and recognition memory. Motor coordination and special memory were only altered in females, whereas we found a male-specific effect of Malathion on social behavior and marble burying. These alterations were accompanied by increased malondialdehyde (MDA), decreased brain acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE), and disrupted brain redox homeostasis. Our findings about the effects of Malathion exposure across sexes may, in part, contribute to understanding the dimorphic susceptibilities observed in neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Berroug
- Biological Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - Meriem Laaroussi
- Biological Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - Oumaima Essaidi
- Biological Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - Hafsa Malqui
- Biological Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - Hammou Anarghou
- Biological Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - Ahmed Ait Chaoui
- Biological Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Najimi
- Biological Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco
| | - Fatiha Chigr
- Biological Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco.
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Ke Q, Xiao Y, Liu D, Shi C, Shen R, Qin S, Jiang L, Yang J, Zhou Y. PPARα/δ dual agonist H11 alleviates diabetic kidney injury by improving the metabolic disorders of tubular epithelial cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 222:116076. [PMID: 38387308 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is responsible for nearly half of all end-stage kidney disease and kidney failure is a major driver of mortality among patients with diabetes. To date, few safe and effective drugs are available to reverse the decline of kidney function. Kidney tubules producing energy by fatty acid metabolism are pivotal in development and deterioration of DKD. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), comprising PPARα, PPARδ and PPARγ play a senior role in the pathogenesis of DKD for their functions in glycemic control and lipid metabolism; whereas systemic activation of PPARγ causes serious side-effects in clinical settings. Compound H11 was a potent PPARα and PPARδ (PPARα/δ) dual agonist with potent and well-balanced PPARα/δ agonistic activity and a high selectivity over PPARγ. In this study, the potential therapeutic effects of compound H11 were determined in a db/db mouse model of diabetes. Expressions of PPARα and PPARδ in nuclei of tubules were markedly reduced in diabetes. Transcriptional changes of tubular cells showed that H11 was an effective PPARα/δ dual agonist taking effects both in vivo and in vitro. Systemic administration of H11 showed glucose tolerance and lipid metabolic benefits in db/db mice. Moreover, H11 treatment exerted protective effects on diabetic kidney injury. In addition to fatty acid metabolism, H11 also regulated diabetes-induced metabolic alternations of branch chain amino acid degradation and glycolysis. The present study demonstrated a crucial role of H11 in regulation of energy homeostasis and metabolism in glucose-treated tubular cells. Overall, compound H11 holds therapeutic promise for DKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Ke
- Center for Kidney Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China
| | - Yu Xiao
- Center for Kidney Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China
| | - Dandan Liu
- Center for Kidney Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China
| | - Caifeng Shi
- Center for Kidney Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China
| | - Rui Shen
- Center for Kidney Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China
| | - Songyan Qin
- Center for Kidney Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- Center for Kidney Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China.
| | - Junwei Yang
- Center for Kidney Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China.
| | - Yang Zhou
- Center for Kidney Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, China.
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Bridges J, Ramirez-Guerrero JA, Rosa-Garrido M. Gender-specific genetic and epigenetic signatures in cardiovascular disease. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1355980. [PMID: 38529333 PMCID: PMC10962446 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1355980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiac sex differences represent a pertinent focus in pursuit of the long-awaited goal of personalized medicine. Despite evident disparities in the onset and progression of cardiac pathology between sexes, historical oversight has led to the neglect of gender-specific considerations in the treatment of patients. This oversight is attributed to a predominant focus on male samples and a lack of sex-based segregation in patient studies. Recognizing these sex differences is not only relevant to the treatment of cisgender individuals; it also holds paramount importance in addressing the healthcare needs of transgender patients, a demographic that is increasingly prominent in contemporary society. In response to these challenges, various agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, have actively directed their efforts toward advancing our comprehension of this phenomenon. Epigenetics has proven to play a crucial role in understanding sex differences in both healthy and disease states within the heart. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the physiological distinctions between males and females during the development of various cardiac pathologies, specifically focusing on unraveling the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms at play. Current findings related to distinct sex-chromosome compositions, the emergence of gender-biased genetic variations, and variations in hormonal profiles between sexes are highlighted. Additionally, the roles of DNA methylation, histone marks, and chromatin structure in mediating pathological sex differences are explored. To inspire further investigation into this crucial subject, we have conducted global analyses of various epigenetic features, leveraging data previously generated by the ENCODE project.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Manuel Rosa-Garrido
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Sun Y, Li X, Mai J, Xu W, Wang J, Zhang Q, Wang N. Three Copies of zbed1 Specific in Chromosome W Are Essential for Female-Biased Sexual Size Dimorphism in Cynoglossus semilaevis. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:141. [PMID: 38534411 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The sex chromosome, especially specific in one sex, generally determines sexual size dimorphism (SSD), a phenomenon with dimorphic sexual difference in the body size. For Cynoglossus semilaevis, a flatfish in China, although the importance of chromosome W and its specific gene zbed1 in female-biased SSD have been suggested, its family members and regulation information are still unknown. At present, three zbed1 copies gene were identified on chromosome W, with no gametologs. Phylogenetic analysis for the ZBED family revealed an existence of ZBED9 in the fish. Nine members were uncovered from C. semilaevis, clustering into three kinds, ZBED1, ZBED4 and ZBEDX, which is less than the eleven kinds of ZBED members in mammals. The predominant expression of zbed1 in the female brain and pituitary tissues was further verified by qPCR. Transcription factor c/ebpα could significantly enhance the transcriptional activity of zbed1 promoter, which is opposite to its effect on the male determinant factor-dmrt1. When zbed1 was interfered with, piwil1, esr2 and wnt7b were up-regulated, while cell-cycle-related genes, including cdk4 and ccng1, were down-regulated. Thus, zbed1 is involved in cell proliferation by regulating esr2, piwil1, cell cycle and the Wnt pathway. Further research on their interactions would be helpful to understand fish SSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222000, China
- National Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xihong Li
- National Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Jiaqi Mai
- National Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China
| | - Wenteng Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Jiacheng Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
- Fisheries College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China
| | - Na Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
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Vergnes L, Wiese CB, Zore T, Riestenberg C, Avetisyan R, Reue K. Gene Regulation and Mitochondrial Activity During White and Brown Adipogenesis Are Modulated by KDM5 Histone Demethylase. J Endocr Soc 2024; 8:bvae029. [PMID: 38425435 PMCID: PMC10904225 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvae029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Body fat accumulation differs between males and females and is influenced by both gonadal sex (ovaries vs testes) and chromosomal sex (XX vs XY). We previously showed that an X chromosome gene, Kdm5c, is expressed at higher levels in females compared to males and correlates with adiposity in mice and humans. Kdm5c encodes a KDM5 histone demethylase that regulates gene expression by modulating histone methylation at gene promoters and enhancers. Here, we use chemical inhibition and genetic knockdown to identify a role for KDM5 activity during early stages of white and brown preadipocyte differentiation, with specific effects on white adipocyte clonal expansion, and white and brown adipocyte gene expression and mitochondrial activity. In white adipogenesis, KDM5 activity modulates H3K4 histone methylation at the Dlk1 gene promoter to repress gene expression and promote progression from preadipocytes to mature adipocytes. In brown adipogenesis, KDM5 activity modulates H3K4 methylation and gene expression of Ucp1, which is required for thermogenesis. Unbiased transcriptome analysis revealed that KDM5 activity regulates genes associated with cell cycle regulation and mitochondrial function, and this was confirmed by functional analyses of cell proliferation and cellular bioenergetics. Using genetic knockdown, we demonstrate that KDM5C is the likely KDM5 family member that is responsible for regulation of white and brown preadipocyte programming. Given that KDM5C levels are higher in females compared to males, our findings suggest that sex differences in white and brown preadipocyte gene regulation may contribute to sex differences in adipose tissue function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Vergnes
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Carrie B Wiese
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Temeka Zore
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Carrie Riestenberg
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Rozeta Avetisyan
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Karen Reue
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Muscogiuri G, Verde L, Vetrani C, Barrea L, Savastano S, Colao A. Obesity: a gender-view. J Endocrinol Invest 2024; 47:299-306. [PMID: 37740888 PMCID: PMC10859324 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02196-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE There is a growing awareness of the importance of understanding gender differences in obesity. The aim of this short review was to revise the current evidence on anthropometric characteristics and nutritional and pharmacological aspects of obesity from a gender perspective. METHODS A literature search within PubMed was performed. Selected publications related to obesity and gender differences were reviewed. RESULTS The prevalence of obesity among men is higher than in women, but women have a higher percentage of body fat content compared to men, and gender appears to be an important factor in the manifestation of central (android) or peripheral (gynoid) obesity. In addition, while in most clinical trials, women are still underrepresented, in clinical registration trials of anti-obesity drugs, women are commonly up-represented and gender-specific analysis is uncommon. Considering that adipose tissue is one of the factors affecting the volume of distribution of many drugs, mainly lipophilic drugs, gender differences might be expected in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anti-obesity drugs. Indeed, although Liraglutide 3 mg, a long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, and naltrexone/bupropion display lipophilic properties, currently, a gender-dose adjustment for both these drugs administration is not recommended. In addition, despite that predicted responders to treatment offer substantial opportunities for efficient use, especially of expensive new therapies, such as anti-obesity drugs, data on gender differences to identify early responders to both these have not yet been investigated. Finally, bariatric surgery gender disparity reflects healthcare practices. Weight loss similar, but differing effects: women need more correction and face psychology challenges; men have worse physiology and fewer comorbidity improvements. CONCLUSION Gender differences exist in obesity prevalence and phenotype, body fat distribution, drug efficacy, clinical trial representation, and different secondary effects of bariatric surgery. Gender is an important variable in obesity analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Muscogiuri
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Clinica E Chirurgia, Diabetologia E Andrologia, Unità Di Endocrinologia, Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
- Centro Italiano Per La Cura E Il Benessere del Paziente Con Obesità (C.I.B.O), Dipartimento Di Medicina Clinica E Chirurgia, Diabetologia E Andrologia, Unità Di Endocrinologia, Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
- Cattedra Unesco "Educazione Alla Salute E Allo Sviluppo Sostenibile", University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - L Verde
- Centro Italiano Per La Cura E Il Benessere del Paziente Con Obesità (C.I.B.O), Dipartimento Di Medicina Clinica E Chirurgia, Diabetologia E Andrologia, Unità Di Endocrinologia, Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - C Vetrani
- Centro Italiano Per La Cura E Il Benessere del Paziente Con Obesità (C.I.B.O), Dipartimento Di Medicina Clinica E Chirurgia, Diabetologia E Andrologia, Unità Di Endocrinologia, Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Umanistiche, Centro Direzionale, Università Telematica Pegaso, Via PorzioIsola F2, 80143, Naples, Italy
| | - L Barrea
- Centro Italiano Per La Cura E Il Benessere del Paziente Con Obesità (C.I.B.O), Dipartimento Di Medicina Clinica E Chirurgia, Diabetologia E Andrologia, Unità Di Endocrinologia, Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Umanistiche, Centro Direzionale, Università Telematica Pegaso, Via PorzioIsola F2, 80143, Naples, Italy
| | - S Savastano
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Clinica E Chirurgia, Diabetologia E Andrologia, Unità Di Endocrinologia, Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
- Centro Italiano Per La Cura E Il Benessere del Paziente Con Obesità (C.I.B.O), Dipartimento Di Medicina Clinica E Chirurgia, Diabetologia E Andrologia, Unità Di Endocrinologia, Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - A Colao
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Clinica E Chirurgia, Diabetologia E Andrologia, Unità Di Endocrinologia, Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
- Centro Italiano Per La Cura E Il Benessere del Paziente Con Obesità (C.I.B.O), Dipartimento Di Medicina Clinica E Chirurgia, Diabetologia E Andrologia, Unità Di Endocrinologia, Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
- Cattedra Unesco "Educazione Alla Salute E Allo Sviluppo Sostenibile", University Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Pinto-Pinho P, Soares J, Esteves P, Pinto-Leite R, Fardilha M, Colaço B. Comparative Bioinformatic Analysis of the Proteomes of Rabbit and Human Sex Chromosomes. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:217. [PMID: 38254386 PMCID: PMC10812427 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Studying proteins associated with sex chromosomes can provide insights into sex-specific proteins. Membrane proteins accessible through the cell surface may serve as excellent targets for diagnostic, therapeutic, or even technological purposes, such as sperm sexing technologies. In this context, proteins encoded by sex chromosomes have the potential to become targets for X- or Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa. Due to the limited availability of proteomic studies on rabbit spermatozoa and poorly annotated databases for rabbits compared to humans, a bioinformatic analysis of the available rabbit X chromosome proteome (RX), as well as the human X (HX) and Y (HY) chromosomes proteome, was conducted to identify potential targets that could be accessible from the cell surface and predict which of the potential targets identified in humans might also exist in rabbits. We identified 100, 211, and 3 proteins associated with the plasma membrane or cell surface for RX, HX, and HY, respectively, of which 61, 132, and 3 proteins exhibit potential as targets as they were predicted to be accessible from the cell surface. Cross-referencing the potential HX targets with the rabbit proteome revealed an additional 60 proteins with the potential to be RX targets, resulting in a total of 121 potential RX targets. In addition, at least 53 possible common HX and RX targets have been previously identified in human spermatozoa, emphasizing their potential as targets of X-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa. Further proteomic studies on rabbit sperm will be essential to identify and validate the usefulness of these proteins for application in rabbit sperm sorting techniques as targets of X-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Pinto-Pinho
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
- Laboratory of Genetics and Andrology, Hospital Center of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, E.P.E., 5000-508 Vila Real, Portugal;
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, IPO Porto Research Center, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto Francisco Gentil, E.P.E., 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - João Soares
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; (J.S.); (P.E.)
- Center for Research in Advanced Computing Systems, Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (CRACS—INESC TEC), 4150-179 Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro Esteves
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; (J.S.); (P.E.)
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- CIBIO—Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, InBIO Associate Laboratory, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Rosário Pinto-Leite
- Laboratory of Genetics and Andrology, Hospital Center of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, E.P.E., 5000-508 Vila Real, Portugal;
- Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, IPO Porto Research Center, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto Francisco Gentil, E.P.E., 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Margarida Fardilha
- Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Bruno Colaço
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
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21
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Mauvais-Jarvis F. Sex differences in energy metabolism: natural selection, mechanisms and consequences. Nat Rev Nephrol 2024; 20:56-69. [PMID: 37923858 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-023-00781-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Metabolic homeostasis operates differently in men and women. This sex asymmetry is the result of evolutionary adaptations that enable women to resist loss of energy stores and protein mass while remaining fertile in times of energy deficit. During starvation or prolonged exercise, women rely on oxidation of lipids, which are a more efficient energy source than carbohydrates, to preserve glucose for neuronal and placental function and spare proteins necessary for organ function. Carbohydrate reliance in men could be an evolutionary adaptation related to defence and hunting, as glucose, unlike lipids, can be used as a fuel for anaerobic high-exertion muscle activity. The larger subcutaneous adipose tissue depots in healthy women than in healthy men provide a mechanism for lipid storage. As female mitochondria have higher functional capacity and greater resistance to oxidative damage than male mitochondria, uniparental inheritance of female mitochondria may reduce the transmission of metabolic disorders. However, in women, starvation resistance and propensity to obesity have evolved in tandem, and the current prevalence of obesity is greater in women than in men. The combination of genetic sex, programming by developmental testosterone in males, and pubertal sex hormones defines sex-specific biological systems in adults that produce phenotypic sex differences in energy homeostasis, metabolic disease and drug responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franck Mauvais-Jarvis
- Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, John W. Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine and Tulane Center of Excellence in Sex-Based Biology & Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
- Endocrine service, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, LA, USA.
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22
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Christians JK, Reue K. The role of gonadal hormones and sex chromosomes in sex-dependent effects of early nutrition on metabolic health. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1304050. [PMID: 38189044 PMCID: PMC10770830 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1304050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Early-life conditions such as prenatal nutrition can have long-term effects on metabolic health, and these effects may differ between males and females. Understanding the biological mechanisms underlying sex differences in the response to early-life environment will improve interventions, but few such mechanisms have been identified, and there is no overall framework for understanding sex differences. Biological sex differences may be due to chromosomal sex, gonadal sex, or interactions between the two. This review describes approaches to distinguish between the roles of chromosomal and gonadal sex, and summarizes findings regarding sex differences in metabolism. The Four Core Genotypes (FCG) mouse model allows dissociation of the sex chromosome genotype from gonadal type, whereas the XY* mouse model can be used to distinguish effects of X chromosome dosage vs the presence of the Y chromosome. Gonadectomy can be used to distinguish between organizational (permanent) and activational (reversible) effects of sex hormones. Baseline sex differences in a variety of metabolic traits are influenced by both activational and organizational effects of gonadal hormones, as well as sex chromosome complement. Thus far, these approaches have not been widely applied to examine sex-dependent effects of prenatal conditions, although a number of studies have found activational effects of estradiol to be protective against the development of hypertension following early-life adversity. Genes that escape X chromosome inactivation (XCI), such as Kdm5c, contribute to baseline sex-differences in metabolism, while Ogt, another XCI escapee, leads to sex-dependent responses to prenatal maternal stress. Genome-wide approaches to the study of sex differences include mapping genetic loci influencing metabolic traits in a sex-dependent manner. Seeking enrichment for binding sites of hormone receptors among genes showing sexually-dimorphic expression can elucidate the relative roles of hormones. Using the approaches described herein to identify mechanisms underlying sex-dependent effects of early nutrition on metabolic health may enable the identification of fundamental mechanisms and potential interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian K. Christians
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Karen Reue
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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23
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Chiodi V, Rappa F, Lo Re O, Chaldakov GN, Lelouvier B, Micale V, Domenici MR, Vinciguerra M. Deficiency of histone variant macroH2A1.1 is associated with sexually dimorphic obesity in mice. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19123. [PMID: 37926763 PMCID: PMC10625986 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46304-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity has a major socio-economic health impact. There are profound sex differences in adipose tissue deposition and obesity-related conditions. The underlying mechanisms driving sexual dimorphism in obesity and its associated metabolic disorders remain unclear. Histone variant macroH2A1.1 is a candidate epigenetic mechanism linking environmental and dietary factors to obesity. Here, we used a mouse model genetically depleted of macroH2A1.1 to investigate its potential epigenetic role in sex dimorphic obesity, metabolic disturbances and gut dysbiosis. Whole body macroH2A1 knockout (KO) mice, generated with the Cre/loxP technology, and their control littermates were fed a high fat diet containing 60% of energy derived from fat. The diet was administered for three months starting from 10 to 12 weeks of age. We evaluated the progression in body weight, the food intake, and the tolerance to glucose by means of a glucose tolerance test. Gut microbiota composition, visceral adipose and liver tissue morphology were assessed. In addition, adipogenic gene expression patterns were evaluated in the visceral adipose tissue. Female KO mice for macroH2A1.1 had a more pronounced weight gain induced by high fat diet compared to their littermates, while the increase in body weight in male mice was similar in the two genotypes. Food intake was generally increased upon KO and decreased by high fat diet in both sexes, with the exception of KO females fed a high fat diet that displayed the same food intake of their littermates. In glucose tolerance tests, glucose levels were significantly elevated upon high fat diet in female KO compared to a standard diet, while this effect was absent in male KO. There were no differences in hepatic histology. Upon a high fat diet, in female adipocyte cross-sectional area was larger in KO compared to littermates: activation of proadipogenic genes (ACACB, AGT, ANGPT2, FASN, RETN, SLC2A4) and downregulation of antiadipogenic genes (AXIN1, E2F1, EGR2, JUN, SIRT1, SIRT2, UCP1, CCND1, CDKN1A, CDKN1B, EGR2) was detected. Gut microbiota profiling showed increase in Firmicutes and a decrease in Bacteroidetes in females, but not males, macroH2A1.1 KO mice. MacroH2A1.1 KO mice display sexual dimorphism in high fat diet-induced obesity and in gut dysbiosis, and may represent a useful model to investigate epigenetic and metabolic differences associated to the development of obesity-associated pathological conditions in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Chiodi
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanita', Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Rappa
- Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Oriana Lo Re
- Department of Translational Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute of the Medical University, Varna, Bulgaria
- International Clinical Research Center (FNUSA-ICRC), St'Anne University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - George N Chaldakov
- Department of Translational Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute of the Medical University, Varna, Bulgaria
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Research Institute of the Medical University, Varna, Bulgaria
| | | | - Vincenzo Micale
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Domenici
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanita', Rome, Italy
| | - Manlio Vinciguerra
- Department of Translational Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute of the Medical University, Varna, Bulgaria.
- International Clinical Research Center (FNUSA-ICRC), St'Anne University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science (LCCS), Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK.
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24
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Nour J, Bonacina F, Norata GD. Gonadal sex vs genetic sex in experimental atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis 2023; 384:117277. [PMID: 37775425 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2023.117277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological data and interventional studies with hormone replacement therapy suggest that women, at least until menopause, are at decreased cardiovascular risk compared to men. Still the molecular mechanisms beyond this difference are debated and the investigation in experimental models of atherosclerosis has been pivotal to prove that the activation of the estrogen receptor is atheroprotective, despite not enough to explain the differences reported in cardiovascular disease between male and female. This casts also for investigating the importance of the sex chromosome complement (genetic sex) beyond the contribution of sex hormones (gonadal sex) on atherosclerosis. Aim of this review is to present the dualism between gonadal sex and genetic sex with a focus on the data available from experimental models. The molecular mechanisms driving changes in lipid metabolism, immuno-inflammatory reactivity and vascular response in males and females that affect atherosclerosis progression will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Nour
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", University of Milan, Italy
| | - Fabrizia Bonacina
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", University of Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe D Norata
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", University of Milan, Italy.
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25
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Whatley EG, Truong TT, Harvey AJ, Gardner DK. Preimplantation embryo exposure to ketone bodies exerts sex-specific effects on mouse fetal and placental transcriptomes. Reprod Biomed Online 2023; 47:103320. [PMID: 37748369 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Does in vitro exposure of preimplantation mouse embryos to the ketone bodies β-hydroxybutyrate (βOHB) and acetoacetate (AcAc) impact post-transfer fetal and placental gene expression? DESIGN Blastocysts cultured in vitro with or without 2 mmol/l βOHB alone ('βOHB') or combined with 0.8 mmol/l AcAc ('Keto') underwent embryo transfer. Transcriptional profiles of sexed placenta, liver and brain at gestational day 14.5 were examined via RNA sequencing and DAVID functional analysis. RESULTS A sexually dimorphic response to in vitro ketone exposure was observed. Both βOHB and Keto exposure down-regulated genes related to oxidative phosphorylation specifically in female liver. βOHB down-regulated female placental steroid biosynthetic processes, while Keto treatment up-regulated genes relevant to blood vessel formation and cell migration in male placenta. Brain transcriptomes were minimally affected. X-linked genes and chromatin modifiers were identified as differentially expressed in both liver and placenta, alluding to a sex-specific regulatory mechanism. CONCLUSIONS Transient preimplantation ketone exposure perturbs sex-specific fetal liver and placental gene expression, demonstrating a developmental programming effect that warrants future investigation of the postnatal metabolic health of male and female offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma G Whatley
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Melbourne IVF, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
| | - Thi T Truong
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Alexandra J Harvey
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Melbourne IVF, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
| | - David K Gardner
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Melbourne IVF, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia.
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26
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Massa MG, Aghi K, Hill MJ. Deconstructing sex: Strategies for undoing binary thinking in neuroendocrinology and behavior. Horm Behav 2023; 156:105441. [PMID: 37862978 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The scientific community widely recognizes that "sex" is a complex category composed of multiple physiologies. Yet in practice, basic scientific research often treats "sex" as a single, internally consistent, and often binary variable. This practice occludes important physiological factors and processes, and thus limits the scientific value of our findings. In human-oriented biomedical research, the use of simplistic (and often binary) models of sex ignores the existence of intersex, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people and contributes to a medical paradigm that neglects their needs and interests. More broadly, our collective reliance on these models legitimizes a false paradigm of human biology that undergirds harmful medical practices and anti-trans political movements. Herein, we continue the conversations begun at the SBN 2022 Symposium on Hormones and Trans Health, providing guiding questions to help scientists deconstruct and rethink the use of "sex" across the stages of the scientific method. We offer these as a step toward a scientific paradigm that more accurately recognizes and represents sexed physiologies as multiple, interacting, variable, and unbounded by gendered preconceptions. We hope this paper will serve as a useful resource for scientists who seek a new paradigm for researching and understanding sexed physiologies that improves our science, widens the applicability of our findings, and deters the misuse of our research against marginalized groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan G Massa
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America.
| | - Krisha Aghi
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America.
| | - M J Hill
- Department of Sociology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America.
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27
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Massa MG, Scott RL, Cara AL, Cortes LR, Vander PB, Sandoval NP, Park JW, Ali SL, Velez LM, Wang HB, Ati SS, Tesfaye B, Reue K, van Veen JE, Seldin MM, Correa SM. Feeding neurons integrate metabolic and reproductive states in mice. iScience 2023; 26:107918. [PMID: 37817932 PMCID: PMC10561062 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Balance between metabolic and reproductive processes is important for survival, particularly in mammals that gestate their young. How the nervous system coordinates this balance is an active area of study. Herein, we demonstrate that somatostatin (SST) neurons of the tuberal hypothalamus alter feeding in a manner sensitive to metabolic and reproductive states in mice. Whereas chemogenetic activation of SST neurons increased food intake across sexes, ablation decreased food intake only in female mice during proestrus. This ablation effect was only apparent in animals with low body mass. Fat transplantation and bioinformatics analysis of SST neuronal transcriptomes revealed white adipose as a key modulator of these effects. These studies indicate that SST hypothalamic neurons integrate metabolic and reproductive cues by responding to varying levels of circulating estrogens to modulate feeding differentially based on energy stores. Thus, gonadal steroid modulation of neuronal circuits can be context dependent and gated by metabolic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan G. Massa
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Doctoral Program, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Rachel L. Scott
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Alexandra L. Cara
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Laura R. Cortes
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Paul B. Vander
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Norma P. Sandoval
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Jae W. Park
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sahara L. Ali
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Leandro M. Velez
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Huei-Bin Wang
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Shomik S. Ati
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Bethlehem Tesfaye
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Karen Reue
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - J. Edward van Veen
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Marcus M. Seldin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California – Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Stephanie M. Correa
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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28
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Sakamuri A, Visniauskas B, Kilanowski-Doroh I, McNally A, Imulinde-Sugi A, Kamau A, Sengottaian D, McLachlan J, Anguera M, Mauvais-Jarvis F, Lindsey S, Ogola BO. Testosterone Deficiency Promotes Arterial Stiffening Independent of Sex Chromosome Complement. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3370040. [PMID: 37886462 PMCID: PMC10602149 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3370040/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Background Testosterone plays a vital role in men's health. Lower testosterone level is associated with cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases, including inflammation, atherosclerosis, and type 2 diabetes. Testosterone replacement is beneficial or neutral to men's cardiovascular health. Testosterone deficiency is associated with cardiovascular events. Testosterone supplementation to hypogonadal men improves libido, increases muscle strength, and enhances mood. We hypothesized that sex chromosomes (XX and XY) interaction with testosterone plays a role in arterial stiffening. Methods We used four core genotype male mice to understand the inherent contribution of sex hormones and sex chromosome complement in arterial stiffening. Age-matched mice were either gonadal intact or castrated for eight weeks, followed by an assessment of blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, echocardiography, and ex vivo passive vascular mechanics. Results Arterial stiffening but not blood pressure was more significant in castrated than testes-intact mice independent of sex chromosome complement. Castrated mice showed a leftward shift in stress-strain curves and carotid wall thinning. Sex chromosome complement (XX) in the absence of testosterone increased collagen deposition in the aorta and Kdm6a gene expression. Conclusion Testosterone deprivation increases arterial stiffening and vascular wall remodeling. Castration increases Col1α1 in male mice with XX sex chromosome complement. Our study shows decreased aortic contractile genes in castrated mice with XX than XY sex chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Anne Kamau
- Augusta University Medical College of Georgia
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29
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Wiese CB, Avetisyan R, Reue K. The impact of chromosomal sex on cardiometabolic health and disease. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2023; 34:652-665. [PMID: 37598068 PMCID: PMC11090013 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2023.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
Many aspects of metabolism are sex-biased, from gene expression in metabolic tissues to the prevalence and presentation of cardiometabolic diseases. The influence of hormones produced by male and female gonads has been widely documented, but recent studies have begun to elucidate the impact of genetic sex (XX or XY chromosomes) on cellular and organismal metabolism. XX and XY cells have differential gene dosage conferred by specific genes that escape X chromosome inactivation or the presence of Y chromosome genes that are absent from XX cells. Studies in mouse models that dissociate chromosomal and gonadal sex have uncovered mechanisms for sex-biased epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in conditions such as obesity, atherosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, autoimmune disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie B Wiese
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Rozeta Avetisyan
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Karen Reue
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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30
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Moon S, Alsarkhi L, Lin TT, Inoue R, Tahiri A, Colson C, Cai W, Shirakawa J, Qian WJ, Zhao JY, El Ouaamari A. Transcriptome and secretome profiling of sensory neurons reveals sex differences in pathways relevant to insulin sensing and insulin secretion. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23185. [PMID: 37695721 PMCID: PMC10503313 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202300941r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) convey somatosensory and metabolic cues to the central nervous system and release substances from stimulated terminal endings in peripheral organs. Sex-biased variations driven by the sex chromosome complement (XX and XY) have been implicated in the sensory-islet crosstalk. However, the molecular underpinnings of these male-female differences are not known. Here, we aim to characterize the molecular repertoire and the secretome profile of the lower thoracic spinal sensory neurons and to identify molecules with sex-biased insulin sensing- and/or insulin secretion-modulating activity that are encoded independently of circulating gonadal sex hormones. We used transcriptomics and proteomics to uncover differentially expressed genes and secreted molecules in lower thoracic T5-12 DRG sensory neurons derived from sexually immature 3-week-old male and female C57BL/6J mice. Comparative transcriptome and proteome analyses revealed differential gene expression and protein secretion in DRG neurons in males and females. The transcriptome analysis identified, among others, higher insulin signaling/sensing capabilities in female DRG neurons; secretome screening uncovered several sex-specific candidate molecules with potential regulatory functions in pancreatic β cells. Together, these data suggest a putative role of sensory interoception of insulin in the DRG-islet crosstalk with implications in sensory feedback loops in the regulation of β-cell activity in a sex-biased manner. Finally, we provide a valuable resource of molecular and secretory targets that can be leveraged for understanding insulin interoception and insulin secretion and inform the development of novel studies/approaches to fathom the role of the sensory-islet axis in the regulation of energy balance in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohyun Moon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA
| | - Lamyaa Alsarkhi
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 01595, USA
| | - Tai-Tu Lin
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Ryota Inoue
- Laboratory of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation (IMCR), Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Azeddine Tahiri
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 01595, USA
| | - Cecilia Colson
- The Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Weikang Cai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA
| | - Jun Shirakawa
- Laboratory of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation (IMCR), Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Wei-Jun Qian
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Jerry Yingtao Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA
| | - Abdelfattah El Ouaamari
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 01595, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 01595, USA
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31
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Rajizadeh MA, Moslemizadeh A, Hosseini MS, Rafiei F, Soltani Z, Khoramipour K. Adiponectin receptor 1 could explain the sex differences in molecular basis of cognitive improvements induced by exercise training in type 2 diabetic rats. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16267. [PMID: 37758935 PMCID: PMC10533546 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43519-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Adipokines dysregulation, the main reason for cognitive impairments (CI) induced by diabetes, shows a sex-dependent pattern inherently and in response to exercise. This study aimed to compare the attenuating effect of 8-week high intensity-interval training (HIIT) on type 2 diabetes (T2D)-induced CI between male and female rats with a special focus on adiponectin and leptin. 28 male & 28 female Wistar rats with an average age of 8 weeks were randomly assigned into four groups: control (Con), exercise (EX), Diabetes (T2D), and Type 2 diabetes + exercise (T2D + Ex). Rats in EX and T2D + EX groups performed HIIT for eight weeks (80-100% Vmax, 4-10 intervals). T2D was induced by 2 months of a high-fat diet and a single dose of STZ (35 mg/kg) administration. Leptin and adiponectin levels in serum were measured along with hippocampal expression of leptin and adiponectin receptors, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), dephosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (Dep-GSK3β), Tau, and beta-amyloid (Aβ). Homeostasis model assessments (HOMAs) and quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI) indices were calculated. Our results showed that following T2D, serum levels of APN, and hippocampal levels of adiponectin receptor 1 (APNR1) were higher and HOMA-IR was lower in female than male rats (P < 0.05). However, after 8 weeks of HIIT, hippocampal levels of APNR1 and AMPK as well as QUICKI were lower and hippocampal levels of GSK, Tau, and Aβ were higher in females compared to male rats (P < 0.05). While the risk of CI following T2D was more in male than female rats HIIT showed a more ameliorating effect in male animals with APN1 as the main player.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Amin Rajizadeh
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Mahdieh Sadat Hosseini
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Forouzan Rafiei
- Health Solutions, College of (CHS), Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Zahra Soltani
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Afzalipour Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Kayvan Khoramipour
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
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Zhu J, Zhou Y, Jin B, Shu J. Role of estrogen in the regulation of central and peripheral energy homeostasis: from a menopausal perspective. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab 2023; 14:20420188231199359. [PMID: 37719789 PMCID: PMC10504839 DOI: 10.1177/20420188231199359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogen plays a prominent role in regulating and coordinating energy homeostasis throughout the growth, development, reproduction, and aging of women. Estrogen receptors (ERs) are widely expressed in the brain and nearly all tissues of the body. Within the brain, central estrogen via ER regulates appetite and energy expenditure and maintains cell glucose metabolism, including glucose transport, aerobic glycolysis, and mitochondrial function. In the whole body, estrogen has shown beneficial effects on weight control, fat distribution, glucose and insulin resistance, and adipokine secretion. As demonstrated by multiple in vitro and in vivo studies, menopause-related decline of circulating estrogen may induce the disturbance of metabolic signals and a significant decrease in bioenergetics, which could trigger an increased incidence of late-onset Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women. In this article, we have systematically reviewed the role of estrogen and ERs in body composition and lipid/glucose profile variation occurring with menopause, which may provide a better insight into the efficacy of hormone therapy in maintaining energy metabolic homeostasis and hold a clue for development of novel therapeutic approaches for target tissue diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yier Zhou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bihui Jin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing Shu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China
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Golubeva JA, Sheptulina AF, Elkina AY, Liusina EO, Kiselev AR, Drapkina OM. Which Comes First, Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease or Arterial Hypertension? Biomedicines 2023; 11:2465. [PMID: 37760906 PMCID: PMC10525922 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and arterial hypertension (AH) are widespread noncommunicable diseases in the global population. Since hypertension and NAFLD are diseases associated with metabolic syndrome, they are often comorbid. In fact, many contemporary published studies confirm the association of these diseases with each other, regardless of whether other metabolic factors, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes mellites, are present. This narrative review considers the features of the association between NAFLD and AH, as well as possible pathophysiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia A. Golubeva
- Department of Fundamental and Applied Aspects of Obesity, National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine, 101990 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna F. Sheptulina
- Department of Fundamental and Applied Aspects of Obesity, National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine, 101990 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Therapy and Preventive Medicine, A.I. Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, 127473 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia Yu. Elkina
- Department of Fundamental and Applied Aspects of Obesity, National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine, 101990 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Intermediate Level Therapy, Saratov State Medical University, 410012 Saratov, Russia
| | - Ekaterina O. Liusina
- Department of Fundamental and Applied Aspects of Obesity, National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine, 101990 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anton R. Kiselev
- Coordinating Center for Fundamental Research, National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine, 101990 Moscow, Russia
| | - Oxana M. Drapkina
- Department of Fundamental and Applied Aspects of Obesity, National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine, 101990 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Therapy and Preventive Medicine, A.I. Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, 127473 Moscow, Russia
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Ma J, McGlade EC, Huber RS, Lyoo IK, Renshaw PF, Yurgelun-Todd DA. Overweight/Obesity-related microstructural alterations of the fimbria-fornix in the ABCD study: The role of aerobic physical activity. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287682. [PMID: 37437033 PMCID: PMC10337868 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Childhood overweight/obesity has been associated with negative consequences related to brain function and may involve alterations in white matter pathways important for cognitive and emotional processing. Aerobic physical activity is a promising lifestyle factor that could restore white matter alterations. However, little is known about either regional white matter alterations in children with overweight/obesity or the effects of aerobic physical activity targeting the obesity-related brain alterations in children. Using a large-scale cross-sectional population-based dataset of US children aged 9 to 10 years (n = 8019), this study explored the associations between overweight/obesity and microstructure of limbic white matter tracts, and examined whether aerobic physical activity may reduce the overweight/obesity-related white matter alterations in children. The primary outcome measure was restriction spectrum imaging (RSI)-derived white matter microstructural integrity measures. The number of days in a week that children engaged in aerobic physical activity for at least 60 minutes per day was assessed. We found that females with overweight/obesity had lower measures of integrity of the fimbria-fornix, a major limbic-hippocampal white matter tract, than their lean peers, while this difference was not significant in males. We also found a positive relationship between the number of days of aerobic physical activity completed in a week and integrity measures of the fimbria-fornix in females with overweight/obesity. Our results provide cross-sectional evidence of sex-specific microstructural alteration in the fimbria-fornix in children with overweight/obesity and suggest that aerobic physical activity may play a role in reducing this alteration. Future work should examine the causal direction of the relationship between childhood overweight/obesity and brain alterations and evaluate potential interventions to validate the effects of aerobic physical activity on this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyoung Ma
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Diagnostic Neuroimaging Laboratory, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Erin C. McGlade
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Diagnostic Neuroimaging Laboratory, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VA VISN 19 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Rebekah S. Huber
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Diagnostic Neuroimaging Laboratory, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - In Kyoon Lyoo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Diagnostic Neuroimaging Laboratory, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Perry F. Renshaw
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Diagnostic Neuroimaging Laboratory, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VA VISN 19 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Deborah A. Yurgelun-Todd
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- Diagnostic Neuroimaging Laboratory, Huntsman Mental Health Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
- George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VA VISN 19 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
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Le AL, Lynch WJ, Rissman EF. Sex Chromosome Complement and Estradiol Modify Cocaine Self-Administration Behaviors in Male Mice. Neuroendocrinology 2023; 113:1177-1188. [PMID: 37348474 DOI: 10.1159/000531648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Women are more vulnerable to cocaine's reinforcing effects and have a more rapid course to addiction after initial cocaine use as compared to men. Studies in rodents similarly indicate an enhanced sensitivity to the reinforcing effects of cocaine in females versus males. Levels of estradiol (E2) are correlated with vulnerability to the rewarding actions of cocaine. Here, we asked if sex chromosome complement (SCC) influences vulnerability to cocaine use. METHODS We used the four-core genotype mouse that produces gonadal males and females with either XX or XY SCC. Mice were gonadectomized and implanted with either an estradiol (E2) or cholesterol-filled pellet. This allowed us to determine the effects of SCC in the absence (cholesterol-treated) and presence of tonic high physiological hormone levels (estradiol). Acquisition of cocaine self-administration was determined over a 12-day period using an escalated dose procedure (0.3 mg/kg/infusion, sessions 1-6; 0.6 mg/kg/infusion, sessions 6-12). RESULTS Without estradiol treatment, a greater percentage of castrated XY mice acquired cocaine self-administration and did so at a faster rate than XX castrates and ovariectomized XY females. These same XY males acquired sooner, infused more cocaine, and directed more nose pokes to the rewarded nose-poke hole than XX castrates and XY males receiving E2. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that in gonadal male mice, SCC and estradiol can modulate the reinforcing effects of cocaine which may influence the likelihood of cocaine use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron L Le
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, NCSU, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Wendy J Lynch
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Emilie F Rissman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Human Health and the Environment, NCSU, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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Zhao S, Hu S, Sun K, Luo L, Zeng L. Pu-erh tea intake enhances the anti-obesity effect of intermittent fasting via modulating follicle-stimulating hormone and gut dysbacteriosis in female high-fat-diet mice. J Funct Foods 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2023.105495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
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Conlon FL, Arnold AP. Sex chromosome mechanisms in cardiac development and disease. NATURE CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH 2023; 2:340-350. [PMID: 37808586 PMCID: PMC10558115 DOI: 10.1038/s44161-023-00256-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Many human diseases, including cardiovascular disease, show differences between men and women in pathology and treatment outcomes. In the case of cardiac disease, sex differences are exemplified by differences in the frequency of specific types of congenital and adult-onset heart disease. Clinical studies have suggested that gonadal hormones are a factor in sex bias. However, recent research has shown that gene and protein networks under non-hormonal control also account for cardiac sex differences. In this review, we describe the sex chromosome pathways that lead to sex differences in the development and function of the heart and highlight how these findings affect future care and treatment of cardiac disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank L Conlon
- Departments of Biology and Genetics, McAllister Heart Institute, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Arthur P Arnold
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
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Saravanan M, Xu R, Roby O, Wang Y, Zhu S, Lu A, Du J. Tissue-Specific Sex Difference in Mouse Eye and Brain Metabolome Under Fed and Fasted States. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:18. [PMID: 36892534 PMCID: PMC10010444 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.3.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Visual physiology and various ocular diseases demonstrate sexual dimorphisms; however, how sex influences metabolism in different eye tissues remains undetermined. This study aims to address common and tissue-specific sex differences in metabolism in the retina, RPE, lens, and brain under fed and fasted conditions. Methods After ad libitum fed or being deprived of food for 18 hours, mouse eye tissues (retina, RPE/choroid, and lens), brain, and plasma were harvested for targeted metabolomics. The data were analyzed with both partial least squares-discriminant analysis and volcano plot analysis. Results Among 133 metabolites that cover major metabolic pathways, we found 9 to 45 metabolites that are sex different in different tissues under the fed state and 6 to 18 metabolites under the fasted state. Among these sex-different metabolites, 33 were changed in 2 or more tissues, and 64 were tissue specific. Pantothenic acid, hypotaurine, and 4-hydroxyproline were the top commonly changed metabolites. The lens and the retina had the most tissue-specific, sex-different metabolites enriched in the metabolism of amino acid, nucleotide, lipids, and tricarboxylic acid cycle. The lens and the brain had more similar sex-different metabolites than other ocular tissues. The female RPE and female brain were more sensitive to fasting with more decreased metabolites in amino acid metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycles, and glycolysis. The plasma had the fewest sex-different metabolites, with very few overlapping changes with tissues. Conclusions Sex has a strong influence on eye and brain metabolism in tissue-specific and metabolic state-specific manners. Our findings may implicate the sexual dimorphisms in eye physiology and susceptibility to ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghashri Saravanan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
| | - Rong Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
| | - Olivia Roby
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
| | - Yekai Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
| | - Siyan Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
| | - Amy Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
| | - Jianhai Du
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
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Arnold AP, Chen X, Grzybowski MN, Ryan JM, Sengelaub DR, Mohanroy T, Furlan VA, Grisham W, Malloy L, Takizawa A, Wiese CB, Vergnes L, Skaletsky H, Page DC, Reue K, Harley VR, Dwinell MR, Geurts AM. A "Four Core Genotypes" rat model to distinguish mechanisms underlying sex-biased phenotypes and diseases. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.09.527738. [PMID: 36798326 PMCID: PMC9934672 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.09.527738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Background We have generated a rat model similar to the Four Core Genotypes mouse model, allowing comparison of XX and XY rats with the same type of gonad. The model detects novel sex chromosome effects (XX vs. XY) that contribute to sex differences in any rat phenotype. Methods XY rats were produced with an autosomal transgene of Sry , the testis-determining factor gene, which were fathers of XX and XY progeny with testes. In other rats, CRISPR-Cas9 technology was used to remove Y chromosome factors that initiate testis differentiation, producing fertile XY gonadal females that have XX and XY progeny with ovaries. These groups can be compared to detect sex differences caused by sex chromosome complement (XX vs. XY) and/or by gonadal hormones (rats with testes vs. ovaries). Results We have measured numerous phenotypes to characterize this model, including gonadal histology, breeding performance, anogenital distance, levels of reproductive hormones, body and organ weights, and central nervous system sexual dimorphisms. Serum testosterone levels were comparable in adult XX and XY gonadal males. Numerous phenotypes previously found to be sexually differentiated by the action of gonadal hormones were found to be similar in XX and XY rats with the same type of gonad, suggesting that XX and XY rats with the same type of gonad have comparable levels of gonadal hormones at various stages of development. Conclusion The results establish a powerful new model to discriminate sex chromosome and gonadal hormone effects that cause sexual differences in rat physiology and disease.
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Massa MG, Scott RL, Cara AL, Cortes LR, Sandoval NP, Park JW, Ali S, Velez LM, Tesfaye B, Reue K, van Veen JE, Seldin M, Correa SM. Feeding Neurons Integrate Metabolic and Reproductive States in Mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.25.525595. [PMID: 36747631 PMCID: PMC9900829 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.25.525595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Trade-offs between metabolic and reproductive processes are important for survival, particularly in mammals that gestate their young. Puberty and reproduction, as energetically taxing life stages, are often gated by metabolic availability in animals with ovaries. How the nervous system coordinates these trade-offs is an active area of study. We identify somatostatin neurons of the tuberal nucleus (TNSST) as a node of the feeding circuit that alters feeding in a manner sensitive to metabolic and reproductive states in mice. Whereas chemogenetic activation of TNSST neurons increased food intake across sexes, selective ablation decreased food intake only in female mice during proestrus. Interestingly, this ablation effect was only apparent in animals with a low body mass. Fat transplantation and bioinformatics analysis of TNSST neuronal transcriptomes revealed white adipose as a key modulator of the effects of TNSST neurons on food intake. Together, these studies point to a mechanism whereby TNSST hypothalamic neurons modulate feeding by responding to varying levels of circulating estrogens differentially based on energy stores. This research provides insight into how neural circuits integrate reproductive and metabolic signals, and illustrates how gonadal steroid modulation of neuronal circuits can be context-dependent and gated by metabolic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan G Massa
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Rachel L Scott
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Alexandra L Cara
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Laura R Cortes
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Norma P Sandoval
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jae W Park
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Sahara Ali
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Leandro M Velez
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Bethlehem Tesfaye
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Karen Reue
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - J Edward van Veen
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Marcus Seldin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA
| | - Stephanie M Correa
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
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Waldhorn I, Turetsky T, Steiner D, Gil Y, Benyamini H, Gropp M, Reubinoff BE. Modeling sex differences in humans using isogenic induced pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:2732-2744. [PMID: 36427492 PMCID: PMC9768579 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological sex is a fundamental trait influencing development, reproduction, pathogenesis, and medical treatment outcomes. Modeling sex differences is challenging because of the masking effect of genetic variability and the hurdle of differentiating chromosomal versus hormonal effects. In this work we developed a cellular model to study sex differences in humans. Somatic cells from a mosaic Klinefelter syndrome patient were reprogrammed to generate isogenic induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines with different sex chromosome complements: 47,XXY/46,XX/46,XY/45,X0. Transcriptional analysis of the hiPSCs revealed novel and known genes and pathways that are sexually dimorphic in the pluripotent state and during early neural development. Female hiPSCs more closely resembled the naive pluripotent state than their male counterparts. Moreover, the system enabled differentiation between the contributions of X versus Y chromosome to these differences. Taken together, isogenic hiPSCs present a novel platform for studying sex differences in humans and bear potential to promote gender-specific medicine in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ithai Waldhorn
- Hadassah Stem Cell Research Center, Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Tikva Turetsky
- Hadassah Stem Cell Research Center, Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Debora Steiner
- Hadassah Stem Cell Research Center, Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yaniv Gil
- Hadassah Stem Cell Research Center, Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hadar Benyamini
- Bioinformatics Unit of the I-CORE at Hebrew University and Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michal Gropp
- Hadassah Stem Cell Research Center, Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Benjamin E. Reubinoff
- Hadassah Stem Cell Research Center, Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ein Kerem, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel,Corresponding author
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Li W, Gao R, Ding Y, Chen X, Liu X, He J, Li F, Long J, Lu S, Yang C, Wang Y. Imbalance hepatic metabolism homeostasis in the F1 generation of endometrial DNMT3B conditional knockout female mice. Front Physiol 2022; 13:1042449. [PMCID: PMC9692016 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1042449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have suggested the possibility of explaining the etiology of metabolic syndrome through DNA methylation. DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) plays an important role in de novo DNA methylation. There was an alteration in maternal (F0) endometrial function, which might lead to growth and developmental disorder in offspring (F1). In this study, we investigated the effect of maternal endometrial DNMT3B deficiency on the metabolism in offspring. We constructed endometrial DNMT3B conditional knockout female mice (cKO) which were mated with normal C57BL/6 male mice to obtain the F1 generation. Further, to study the development of these offspring, we observed them at three different life stages which included the 6-week-old juvenile, 9-week-old sub-adult and 12-week-old adult. Follow the detection of a range of metabolism-related indicators, we found that in the cKO F1 generation, liver triglyceride level was significantly elevated in 9-week-old female mice, lipid droplet deposition was significantly increased in 9-week-old and 12-week-old mice, and the expression of lipid metabolism key factors in the liver was markedly decreased except of 6-week-old male mice. These results indicate that maternal endometrial DNMT3B conditional knockout leads to imbalance in hepatic metabolism in F1 generation, the mechanism of which requires further discussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weike Li
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Rufei Gao
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yubin Ding
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuemei Chen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xueqing Liu
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Junlin He
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Fangfang Li
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Long
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Siyu Lu
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chengshun Yang
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Chengshun Yang, ; Yingxiong Wang,
| | - Yingxiong Wang
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Chengshun Yang, ; Yingxiong Wang,
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Wiese CB, Agle ZW, Zhang P, Reue K. Chromosomal and gonadal sex drive sex differences in lipids and hepatic gene expression in response to hypercholesterolemia and statin treatment. Biol Sex Differ 2022; 13:63. [PMID: 36333813 PMCID: PMC9636767 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-022-00474-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biological sex impacts susceptibility and presentation of cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death for both sexes. To reduce cardiovascular disease risk, statin drugs are commonly prescribed to reduce circulating cholesterol levels through inhibition of cholesterol synthesis. The effectiveness of statin therapy differs between individuals with a sex bias in the frequency of adverse effects. Limited information is available regarding the mechanisms driving sex-specific responses to hypercholesterolemia or statin treatment. METHODS Four Core Genotypes mice (XX and XY mice with ovaries and XX and XY mice with testes) on a hypercholesteremic Apoe-/- background were fed a chow diet without or with simvastatin for 8 weeks. Plasma lipid levels were quantified and hepatic differential gene expression was evaluated with RNA-sequencing to identify the independent effects of gonadal and chromosomal sex. RESULTS In a hypercholesterolemic state, gonadal sex influenced the expression levels of more than 3000 genes, and chromosomal sex impacted expression of nearly 1400 genes, which were distributed across all autosomes as well as the sex chromosomes. Gonadal sex uniquely influenced the expression of ER stress response genes, whereas chromosomal and gonadal sex influenced fatty acid metabolism gene expression in hypercholesterolemic mice. Sex-specific effects on gene regulation in response to statin treatment included a compensatory upregulation of cholesterol biosynthetic gene expression in mice with XY chromosome complement, regardless of presence of ovaries or testes. CONCLUSION Gonadal and chromosomal sex have independent effects on the hepatic transcriptome to influence different cellular pathways in a hypercholesterolemic environment. Furthermore, chromosomal sex in particular impacted the cellular response to statin treatment. An improved understanding of how gonadal and chromosomal sex influence cellular response to disease conditions and in response to drug treatment is critical to optimize disease management for all individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie B Wiese
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Zoey W Agle
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Peixiang Zhang
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Karen Reue
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, USA.
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA.
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Boulet N, Briot A, Galitzky J, Bouloumié A. The Sexual Dimorphism of Human Adipose Depots. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2615. [PMID: 36289874 PMCID: PMC9599294 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The amount and the distribution of body fat exhibit trajectories that are sex- and human species-specific and both are determinants for health. The enhanced accumulation of fat in the truncal part of the body as a risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases is well supported by epidemiological studies. In addition, a possible independent protective role of the gluteofemoral fat compartment and of the brown adipose tissue is emerging. The present narrative review summarizes the current knowledge on sexual dimorphism in fat depot amount and repartition and consequences on cardiometabolic and reproductive health. The drivers of the sex differences and fat depot repartition, considered to be the results of complex interactions between sex determination pathways determined by the sex chromosome composition, genetic variability, sex hormones and the environment, are discussed. Finally, the inter- and intra-depot heterogeneity in adipocytes and progenitors, emphasized recently by unbiased large-scale approaches, is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Anne Bouloumié
- Inserm, Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 1297, Team 1, Institut des Maladies Métaboliques et Cardiovasculaires (I2MC), Université de Toulouse, F-31432 Toulouse, France
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Brettle H, Tran V, Drummond GR, Franks AE, Petrovski S, Vinh A, Jelinic M. Sex hormones, intestinal inflammation, and the gut microbiome: Major influencers of the sexual dimorphisms in obesity. Front Immunol 2022; 13:971048. [PMID: 36248832 PMCID: PMC9554749 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.971048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is defined as the excessive accumulation of body fat and is associated with an increased risk of developing major health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke. There are clear sexual dimorphisms in the epidemiology, pathophysiology and sequelae of obesity and its accompanying metabolic disorders, with females often better protected compared to males. This protection has predominantly been attributed to the female sex hormone estrogen and differences in fat distribution. More recently, the sexual dimorphisms of obesity have also been attributed to the differences in the composition and function of the gut microbiota, and the intestinal immune system. This review will comprehensively summarize the pre-clinical and clinical evidence for these sexual dimorphisms and discuss the interplay between sex hormones, intestinal inflammation and the gut microbiome in obesity. Major gaps and limitations of this rapidly growing area of research will also be highlighted in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Brettle
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, Department of Microbiology, Anatomy Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Vivian Tran
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, Department of Microbiology, Anatomy Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Grant R. Drummond
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, Department of Microbiology, Anatomy Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Ashley E. Franks
- Department of Microbiology, Anatomy Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Steve Petrovski
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, Department of Microbiology, Anatomy Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Antony Vinh
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, Department of Microbiology, Anatomy Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Maria Jelinic
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, Department of Microbiology, Anatomy Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Maria Jelinic,
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Significantly different roles of economic affluence in sex-specific obesity prevalence rates: understanding more modifications within female body weight management. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15757. [PMID: 36130963 PMCID: PMC9492695 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19633-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Socioeconomic status has been associated with obesity prevalence increase in both males and females worldwide. We examined the magnitude of the difference between the two relationships and explored the independence of both relationships. Country specific data on gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, sex-specific obesity prevalence rates, urbanisation, total calories availability and level of obesity, genetic background accumulation (measured by the Biological State Index, Ibs) were obtained for 191 countries. Curvilinear regressions, bivariate and partial correlations, linear mixed models and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between GDP and obesity prevalence rates in males and females respectively. Fisher’s r-to-z transformation, F-test and R2 increment in multivariate regression were used to compare results for males and females. GDP significantly correlated with sex-specific obesity prevalence rates, but significantly more strongly with male obesity prevalence in bivariate correlation analyses. These relationships remained independent of calories availability, Ibs and urbanization in partial correlation model. Stepwise multiple regression identified that GDP was a significant predictor of obesity prevalence in both sexes. Multivariate stepwise regression showed that, when adding GDP as an obesity prevalence predictor, the absolute increment of R2 in male fit model (0.046) was almost four (4) times greater than the absolute increment in female model fit (0.012). The Stepwise analyses also revealed that 68.0% of male but only 37.4% of female obesity prevalence rates were explained by the total contributing effects of GDP, Ibs, urbanization and calories availability. In both Pearson’s r and nonparametric analyses, GDP contributes significantly more to male obesity than to female obesity in both developed and developing countries. GDP also determined the significant regional variation in male, but not female obesity prevalence. GDP may contribute to obesity prevalence significantly more in males than in females regardless of the confounding effects of Ibs, urbanization and calories. This may suggest that aetiologies for female obesity are much more complex than for males and more confounders should be included in the future studies when data are available.
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Zhang S, Zhou J, Yang M, Zhang F, Tao X, Tao F, Huang K. Sex-specific association between elective cesarean section and growth trajectories in preschool children: A prospective birth cohort study. Front Public Health 2022; 10:985851. [PMID: 36203696 PMCID: PMC9530938 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.985851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Elective cesarean section (ECS) primarily contributes to the rising cesarean section (CS) rate, and much attention has been attracted to its health consequences. The association between ECS and overweight and obesity in children has been controversial, and few studies distinguished ECS with medical indications from those without indications. Based on a large sample birth cohort, we aim to examine the association of ECS with or without medical indications on children's physical development by using repeated anthropometric data from birth to 6 years of age. Methods A total of 2304 mother-child pairs with complete data on delivery mode and children's anthropometric measurements were recruited from the Ma'anshan-Anhui Birth Cohort (MABC) in China. ECS was the main exposure in this study, and the primary outcomes were children's growth trajectories and early adiposity rebound (AR). Children's BMI trajectories were fitted by using group-based trajectory models and fractional polynomial mixed-effects models. The association between ECS and children's growth trajectories and early AR was performed using multiple logistic regression models. Results Among 2,304 mother-child pairs (1199 boys and 1105 girls), 1088 (47.2%) children were born by CS, including 61 (5.6%) emergency CS, 441 (40.5%) ECS with medical indications, and 586 (53.9%) ECS without medical indications. After adjusting for potential confounders, it was found that ECS with medical indications was associated with a "high level" of BMI trajectory (OR = 1.776; 95% CI: 1.010-3.123), and ECS without medical indications was associated with early AR (OR = 1.517; 95% CI: 1.123-2.050) in girls. In boys, we found that ECS without medical indications was unlikely to experience an accelerated growth trajectory (OR = 0.484; 95%CI: 0.244-0.959). Conclusions ECS may be related to girls' "high level" BMI trajectories and early AR. If causal, the findings will provide an evidence-based reference for early life interventions for childhood obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Zhang
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei, China
| | - Jixing Zhou
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei, China
| | - Mengting Yang
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei, China
| | - Fu Zhang
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei, China
| | - Xingyong Tao
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei, China
| | - Fangbiao Tao
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei, China
| | - Kun Huang
- Department of Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei, China,Scientific Research Center in Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China,*Correspondence: Kun Huang
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48
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Differences in Adipose Gene Expression Profiles between Male and Female Even Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in Sakha (Yakutia). Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13091645. [PMID: 36140812 PMCID: PMC9498357 DOI: 10.3390/genes13091645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Reindeer are native to harsh northern Eurasian environments which are characterized by long and cold winters, short summers, and limited pasture vegetation. Adipose tissues play a significant role in these animals by modulating energy metabolism, immunity, and reproduction. Here, we have investigated the transcriptome profiles of metacarpal, perirenal, and prescapular adipose tissues in Even reindeer and searched for genes that were differentially expressed in male and female individuals. A total of 15,551 genes were expressed, where the transcriptome profile of metacarpal adipose tissue was found to be distinct from that of perirenal and prescapular adipose tissues. Interestingly, 10 genes, including PRDM9, which is known to have an important role in adaptation and speciation in reindeer, were always upregulated in all three tissues of male reindeer.
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Ortega-Avila JG, García-Muñoz H, Segura Ordoñez A, Salazar Contreras BC. Sexual dimorphism of leptin and adiposity in children between 0 and 10 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Biol Sex Differ 2022; 13:47. [PMID: 36064746 PMCID: PMC9446796 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-022-00454-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Differences in adolescents and adults by sex in blood levels of leptin and adiposity have been described; however, it is not yet clear if these differences arise from the prepubertal stage in subjects with a normal-weight. Therefore, we examine whether there are differences by sex in levels of blood leptin and adiposity in children with a normal-weight between 0 and 10 years old. Methods Search strategy: eligible studies were obtained from three electronic databases (Ovid, Embase and LILACS) and contact with experts. Selection criteria: healthy children up to 10 years of age with normal-weight according to age. Data collection and analyses: data were extracted by four independent reviewers using a predesigned data collection form. For the analysis, we stratified according to age groups (newborns, 0.25–0.5 years, 3–5.9 years, 6–7.9 years, 8–10 years). The statistical analysis was performed in the R program. Results Of the initially identified 13,712 records, 21 were selected in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The sex was associated with the overall effect on blood leptin (pooled MD = 1.72 ng/mL, 95% CI: 1.25–2.19) and body fat percentage (pooled MD = 3.43%, 95% CI: 2.53–4.33), being both higher in girls. This finding was consistent in the majority of age groups. Conclusion The results of our meta-analyses support the sexual dimorphism in circulating blood leptin and body fat percentage between girls and boys with normal-weight from prepuberty. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13293-022-00454-y. Differences by sex in blood leptin and body fat percentage in children are present before 10 years old Girls have higher circulating leptin and body fat percentage than boys The sex differences in blood leptin and adiposity in children increase progressively with the age
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Guillermo Ortega-Avila
- Grupo de Investigación de Ciencias Básicas y Clínicas de la Salud, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Seccional-Cali, Cali, Colombia. .,Grupo de investigación Salud y Movimiento, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali, Colombia.
| | - Harry García-Muñoz
- Grupo de investigación Salud y Movimiento, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali, Colombia.,Grupo de Nutrición, Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas, Facultad de Salud, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Alejandro Segura Ordoñez
- Grupo de investigación Salud y Movimiento, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali, Colombia.,Grupo de Nutrición, Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas, Facultad de Salud, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia
| | - Blanca C Salazar Contreras
- Grupo de investigación Salud y Movimiento, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santiago de Cali, Cali, Colombia.,Programa de Medicina, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
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50
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Abstract
Understanding sex differences in physiology and disease requires the identification of the molecular agents that cause phenotypic sex differences. Two groups of such agents are genes located on the sex chromosomes, and gonadal hormones. The former have coherent linkage to chromosomes that form differently in the two sexes under the influence of genomic forces that are not related to reproductive function, whereas the latter have a direct or indirect relationship to reproduction. Evidence published in the past 5 years supports the identification of several agents of sexual differentiation encoded by the X chromosome in mice, including Kdm5c, Kdm6a, Ogt and Xist. These X chromosome agents have wide pleiotropic effects, potentially influencing sex differences in many different tissues, a characteristic shared with the gonadal hormones. The identification of X chromosome agents of sexual differentiation will facilitate understanding of complex intersecting gene pathways underlying sex differences in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur P Arnold
- Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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