Aromatase plays an important role in the estrogen biosynthesis. Its gen (CYP19A1) is expressed in preadipocytes (stromal vascular fraction, SVF) of adipose tissue. Estrogens are found to be protective for metabolism homeostasis, and cardiovascular system. Disturbed dietary and endogenous fatty acids (FAs) turnover is responsible for development of metabolic syndrome and it complications. Aim of the work was to investigate the effect of physiological concentrations of acids: arachidonic (AA), oleic (OA), palmitynoic (PA) and eikozapentaenoic (EPA) on CYP19A1 expression in differentiating human SVF, able to form adipocytes as well as endothelial cells.
Material and methods: Human (n=38 healthy woman) SVF cells were isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue harvested intrasurgery. SVF cells were incubated in proadipogenic or angiogenic media to obtain adipocytes (Adipo-SVF) or endothelial (Angio-SVF) cells (confirmed by microarray). Changes in the CYP19A1 expression induced by 24hs incubation in the presence of FAs (10 – 30 μM )were monitored by the Real time PCR (qRT -PCR).
Results: The aromatase gene expression correlated positively with BMI of patients, but only in group of obese or overweight women. The negative correlation was found in the group of young, slim women. The highest expression of aromatase was found in the fresh, not differentiated SVF. In differentiating to endothelial cells (Angio - SVF) OA inhibited (p=0.008), when n-3 polyunsaturated AA activated (p=0.003) the CYP19A1 gene expression. In differentiating to preadipocytes (Adipo-SVF) AA significantly (p=0.031) inhibited CYP19A1 expression.
Conclusion: The changes in the aromatase gene expression in differentiating SVF has been confirmed. The different effect of the dietary FA (OA vs. AA) on the aromatase gene expression argue for the role of the locally formed proangiogenic estrogens.