Glucocorticoid metabolism in obesity and following weight loss
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Published version
Author(s)
Akalestou, Elina
Genser, Laurent
Rutter, Guy Allen
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex and are essential for the maintenance of various metabolic
and homeostatic functions. Their function is regulated at the tissue level by 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and they signal
through the glucocorticoid receptor, a ligand-dependent transcription factor. Clinical observations have linked excess glucocorticoid
levels with profound metabolic disturbances of intermediate metabolism resulting in abdominal obesity, insulin resistance and
dyslipidaemia. In this review, we discuss the physiological mechanisms of glucocorticoid secretion, regulation and function, and
survey the metabolic consequences of excess glucocorticoid action resulting from elevated release and activation or up-regulated
signalling. Finally, we summarise the reported impact of weight loss by diet, exercise or bariatric surgery on circulating and
tissue-specific glucocorticoid levels and examine the therapeutic possibility of reversing glucocorticoid-associated metabolic
disorders.
and homeostatic functions. Their function is regulated at the tissue level by 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and they signal
through the glucocorticoid receptor, a ligand-dependent transcription factor. Clinical observations have linked excess glucocorticoid
levels with profound metabolic disturbances of intermediate metabolism resulting in abdominal obesity, insulin resistance and
dyslipidaemia. In this review, we discuss the physiological mechanisms of glucocorticoid secretion, regulation and function, and
survey the metabolic consequences of excess glucocorticoid action resulting from elevated release and activation or up-regulated
signalling. Finally, we summarise the reported impact of weight loss by diet, exercise or bariatric surgery on circulating and
tissue-specific glucocorticoid levels and examine the therapeutic possibility of reversing glucocorticoid-associated metabolic
disorders.
Date Issued
2020-02-20
Date Acceptance
2020-01-30
Citation
Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2020, 11
ISSN
1664-2392
Publisher
Frontiers Media
Journal / Book Title
Frontiers in Endocrinology
Volume
11
Copyright Statement
© 2020 Akalestou, Genser and Rutter. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Sponsor
Rosetrees Trust
Wellcome Trust
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Grant Number
M825
212625/Z/18/Z
MR/R022259/1
MR/L02036X/1
Subjects
1103 Clinical Sciences
1111 Nutrition and Dietetics
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 59