Sex differences in glucocorticoids-induced anabolic effects on energy balance

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of prolonged (28 days) treatment with dexamethasone or corticosterone in intact rats, both male and female, on food intake, body weight gain, Lee index, weights and area of adipocytes of retroperitoneal and perigonadal+perirenal adipose tissues, glucose tolerance test (GTT) and plasma concentrations of free fatty acids, cholesterol and triglycerides. Treatment with dexamethasone was able to increase body weight gain, food intake, area of adipocytes and weight of retroperitoneal adipose tissue in males. Prolonged treatment with corticosterone also stimulated body weight gain, and food intake in males, in addition to induce increase on the area of adipocytes and weight of perirenal+perigonadal adipose tissue and higher glycemia after GTT in these animals, without changes on Lee index and plasma parameters after both GC treatments. No parameter was changed by dexamethasone or corticosterone in female rats. Thus, it can be concluded that male rats are more susceptible to the anabolic effects of glucocorticoids than female rats, and these responses can be due to the protective effects of circulating estrogens in females, and/or the difference between males and females in the expression/activity of corticosteroids receptors.Graphical abstract

Source: Steroids - February 7, 2019 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research