Direct in vitro action of estrone on uterine and white adipose tissue in obesity

Abstract

The hypothesis whether estrone (E₁) could exhibit a direct action at uterus and white adipose tissue (WAT), under obesity was tested. In uterine tissue of obese rats, E₁ increased nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The anti-oxidative action of E₁ was sustained under inflammatory stress or high glucose levels. ICI 182780 or G15 compounds were employed as ER or GPER antagonists respectively. The action of E₁ on ROS release involved ER participation; instead GPER mediated the acute stimulation on NO production. The antioxidative effect depends on NO-ROS balance. NO synthase (NOS) blockage suppressed the reduction in ROS synthesis elicited by E₁, effect mediated by cNOS and not by iNOS. On WAT explants, E₁ reduced ROS and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances production, and diminished leptin release. In summary, the data provide evidence that, in uterus and WAT, E₁ counteracts inflammatory and oxidative stress induced by obesity.

Keywords: Estrone; Obesity; Oxidative stress; Uterus; White adipose tissue.