Open AccessGlucocorticoids in Adipocytes Stimulate Visceral Obesity
Author(s) -
George Wolf
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
nutrition reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.958
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1753-4887
pISSN - 0029-6643
DOI - 10.1301/00296640260093823
Subject(s) - adipose tissue , adipocyte , endocrinology , medicine , dyslipidemia , obesity , diabetes mellitus , intra abdominal fat , biology , enzyme , insulin resistance , visceral fat , biochemistry
The enzyme 11 hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase‐1 (11β HSD‐1) regenerates active glucocorticoids from inactive glucocorticoids. When over‐expressed in adipose tissue, this enzyme was shown to promote increased visceral adipose levels. The resulting visceral obesity was associated with insulin‐resistant diabetes and dyslipidemia. Increased adipocyte 11β HSD‐1 is a possible cause of visceral obesity in humans.