Research progress on the mechanism of sex hormones and their receptors in liver lipid metabolism

Abstract

The liver is one of the most important organs which regulate lipid metabolism in the body. Hepatic steatosis is a major manifestation of metabolic syndrome and is associated with an imbalance between lipid synthesis and decomposition. There are gender and age differences in the prevalence of fatty liver, suggesting that sex hormones may play a crucial role. This review summarizes current literatures on the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism by sex hormones and their receptors. In females, estradiol binds to estrogen receptors to reduce liver fat production and fatty acid intake, while enhancing lipolysis and cholesterol secretion. In males, testosterone reduces adipogenesis and promotes fat breakdown through androgen receptors. These findings suggest that sex hormones and their receptors can serve as potential targets for preventing hepatic steatosis. Key words: Sex hormones; Estrogen receptor; Androgen receptor; Liver; Lipid metabolism