Effect of ovariectomy and high-fat diet on the expression of estrogen receptors and adipose tissue metabolism in wistar rats

This study addresses the increasing prevalence of obesity, especially among postmenopausal. Estrogen plays a crucial role in regulating adipose tissue in women, with its absence after menopause associated with metabolic complications. The study aimed to determine the lipolytic activity in different adipose tissue depots of ovariectomized rats submitted to a high-fat diet. Also, to analyze the expression of estrogen receptors in adipose tissues and perform histological and morphometric analyzes of these deposits. Female rats were ovariectomized (O) or sham operated (S). The animals were divided into groups: ovariectomized with high-fat diet (OF), sham-operated with high-fat diet (SF), ovariectomized with control diet (OC) or sham-operated with control diet as the control group (SC). After 24 weeks of consuming the diets, rats were killed and adipose tissue deposits were removed. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze the expression of estrogen receptors in adipose tissues, lipolysis assay and histological analysis. Both the high-fat diet and ovariectomy increased body weight and adiposity. There was hypertrophy of adipocytes. Estrogen replacement therapy modulate lipolytic activity in different adipose depots, with different responses in relation to estrogen receptors. Estrogen receptor expression varied between fat depots. Mesenteric adipose tissue showed greater sensitivity to estrogen compared with others. Estrogen increased lipolytic activity in some fat depots, reducing in others. Expression of ERs depends of hormonal status and adipose tissue location, which may explain distinct actions of estrogen on the metabolism of adipose tissue and on the production of adipokines by them.