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In vivo stimulation of oestrogen receptor α increases insulin‐stimulated skeletal muscle glucose uptake
Author(s) -
Gorres Brittany K.,
Bomhoff Gregory L.,
Morris Jill K.,
Geiger Paige C.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2010.199018
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , skeletal muscle , glucose uptake , insulin , stimulation , glucose homeostasis , oestrogen receptor , in vivo , homeostasis , receptor , insulin receptor , chemistry , biology , insulin resistance , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer , breast cancer
Non‐technical summary Previous studies show that oestrogen is beneficial for maintaining blood glucose levels and helping the body respond to insulin. Despite these previous findings, the mechanism by which oestrogen acts is unknown. We show that specific activation of oestrogen receptor α (ERα) increases glucose uptake into skeletal muscle when insulin is present. Activation of oestrogen receptor β (ERβ) alone or activation of both ERα and ERβ together did not increase glucose uptake into skeletal muscle. This suggests that oestrogen's beneficial effect occurs by activating ERα. These results have important implications for understanding the mechanisms of glucose homeostasis, particularly in postmenopausal women with low oestrogen levels.