Using a novel coculture model to dissect the role of intramuscular lipid load on skeletal muscle insulin responsiveness under reduced estrogen conditions.

Reductions in estrogen function lead to adiposity and peripheral insulin resistance. Significant metabolic changes have been found in adipocytes and skeletal muscle with disruptions in the estrogen-signaling axis; however, it is unclear if intercellular communication exists between these tissues. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of isolated adipocytes cocultured with single adult skeletal muscle fibers (SMF) collected from control female (SHAM) and ovariectomized female (OVX) mice.

Ectopic lipid deposition and the metabolic profile of skeletal muscle in ovariectomized mice.

Disruptions of ovarian function in women are associated with increased risk of metabolic disease due to dysregulation of peripheral glucose homeostasis in skeletal muscle. Our previous evidence suggests that alterations in skeletal muscle lipid metabolism coupled with altered mitochondrial function may also develop. The objective of this study was to use an integrative metabolic approach to identify potential areas of dysfunction that develop in skeletal muscle from ovariectomized (OVX) female mice compared with age-matched ovary-intact adult female mice (sham).

Metabolic dysfunction under reduced estrogen levels: looking to exercise for prevention.

Loss of estrogen function leads to the development of metabolic dysfunction that spans numerous tissues. In this review, we explore the concept that estrogens are critical for defining metabolic function in adipose and hepatic tissues and also the possibility that exercise training should be considered a substitute for estrogen replacement therapy in women with impairments in estrogen levels.

Wheel running prevents the accumulation of monounsaturated fatty acids in the liver of ovariectomized mice by attenuating changes in SCD-1 content.

Decreases in female sex steroids enhance the accumulation of visceral fat mass, leading to a predisposition to developing metabolic diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine whether loss of ovarian function alters the amount and (or) the fatty acid (FA) composition of triacylglycerol (TAG) levels in the liver of ovary-intact (SHAM) or ovariectomized (OVX) mice. We also sought to determine whether voluntary wheel running could attenuate the associated changes in the liver.

Use of BODIPY (493/503) to visualize intramuscular lipid droplets in skeletal muscle.

Triglyceride storage is altered across various chronic health conditions necessitating various techniques to visualize and quantify lipid droplets (LDs). Here, we describe the utilization of the BODIPY (493/503) dye in skeletal muscle as a means to analyze LDs. We found that the dye was a convenient and simple approach to visualize LDs in both sectioned skeletal muscle and cultured adult single fibers.

Lipolytic signaling in response to acute exercise is altered in female mice following ovariectomy.

Impaired ovarian function alters lipid metabolism, ultimately resulting in increased visceral fat mass. Currently, we have a poor understanding of alterations in signaling events regulating lipolysis after ovarian function declines. The purpose of this study was to determine if cellular mechanisms regulating lipolysis are altered in mice after ovariectomy (OVX) and if OVX mice exhibit impaired lipolytic signaling when stimulated by acute exercise.

17beta-estradiol supplementation attenuates ovariectomy-induced increases in ATGL signaling and reduced perilipin expression in visceral adipose tissue.

Adipocytes from post-menopausal females have higher basal lipolytic rates than pre-menopausal females, which contributes to increased risk of developing dyslipidemia following menopause. The purpose of this study was to delineate cellular mechanisms affecting adipose tissue function in the ovariectomized (OVX) mouse and also determine if physical activity or estrogen supplementation alter any detected changes. Female C57/Bl6 mice were placed into SHAM, OVX sedentary (OVX), OVX exercise (OVX-Ex), and OVX sedentary + 17beta-estradiol (OVX + E(2)) groups.

Changes in contraction-induced phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinases in skeletal muscle after ovariectomy.

Recent evidence suggests that ovarian hormones contribute to altered function of skeletal muscle, however the signaling processes thought to regulate muscle function remain undefined in females. Thus, the purpose of this investigation is to determine if ovarian hormone status is critical for contraction-induced activation of AMPK or MAPK in skeletal muscle. Female mice were divided into two groups, ovariectomy (OVX) and SHAM, which were then subjected to in situ isometric contractile protocols.