0 Regulation of metabolism by estrogen signaling

The metabolic syndrome is a complex condition characterized by obesity, insulin resistance, decreased high-density lipoproteins and hypertension associated with high risk of developing diabetes type 2 and cardiovascular disease. A major increase in the incidence of developing metabolic syndrome and related diseases is observed world-wide in association with a change towards a less active lifestyle and increased food consumption. Estrogen and the estrogen receptors are well known regulators of several aspects of metabolism including glucose and lipid metabolism and impaired estrogen signaling is associated with the development of metabolic diseases. This review will describe the key effects of estrogen signaling in metabolic and glucose sensing tissues, including the liver, pancreatic β cells, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. The impact on metabolic processes of impaired estrogen signaling and knock out of each estrogen receptor subtype will also be discussed