Increased adipose tissue indices of androgen catabolism and aromatization in women with metabolic dysfunction

Context Body fat distribution is a risk factor for obesity-associated comorbidities, and adipose tissue dysfunction plays a role in this association. In humans, there is a sex difference in body fat distribution, and steroid hormones are known to regulate several cellular processes within adipose tissue. Objective Our aim was to investigate if intra-adipose steroid concentration and expression or activity of steroidogenic enzymes were associated with features of adipose tissue dysfunction in individuals with severe obesity. Methods Samples from 40 bariatric candidates (31 women, 9 men) were included in the study. Visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were collected during surgery. Adipose tissue morphology was measured by a combination of histological staining and semi-automated quantification. Following extraction, intra-adipose and plasma steroid concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Aromatase activity was estimated using product over substrate ratio, while AKR1C2 activity was measured directly by fluorogenic probe. Gene expression was measured by quantitative PCR. Results VAT aromatase activity was positively associated with VAT adipocyte hypertrophy (P valueadj Conclusion In women, increased androgen catabolism or aromatization is associated with visceral adiposity and adipose tissue dysfunction.