Signal crosstalk between estrogen and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α on adiposity

Abstract

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and estrogen are believed to be involved in metabolic changes leading to obesity. To test this relationship, we divided female wildtype and PPARα-deficient mice fed on a high fat diet into the following groups: mock-operated, ovariectomized (OVX), and E2-treated. The visceral white adipose tissue and plasma cholesterol levels were increased significantly in wild type OVX and decreased in the E2-treated group, but interestingly not in PPARα-deficient mice. The mRNA levels of lipoprotein lipase in adipose tissue were also increased in only wild type OVX and decreased significantly in E2-treated mice. These novel results suggest the possibility of signaling crosstalk between PPARα and E2, causing obesity in vivo.