Metformin ameliorates body mass gain and early metabolic changes in ovariectomized rats.

Estradiol has been used to prevent metabolic diseases, bone loss and menopausal symptoms, even though it might raise the risk of cancer. Metformin is usually prescribed for type 2 diabetes mellitus and lowers food intake and body mass while improving insulin resistance and the lipid profile. Ovariectomized rats show increased body mass, insulin resistance and changes in the lipid profile.

Sexual dimorphism of liver endoplasmic reticulum stress susceptibility in prepubertal rats and the effect of sex steroid supplementation.

New Findings: What is the central question of this study? Is there sexual dimorphism in the occurrence of hepatic endoplasmic reticulum stress? What is the main finding and its importance? The transition from prepubertal to the adult age is associated with an increase in the unfolded protein response markers in the liver of male rats, which is probably due to an increase in serum testosterone levels.

Abstract: Male rodents present a higher predisposition to obesity and insulin resistance than females. These disorders have been associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress.