Serotonin transporter deficiency drives estrogen-dependent obesity and glucose intolerance.

ABSTRACT: Depression and use of antidepressant medications are both associated with increased risk of obesity, potentially attributed to a reduced serotonin transporter (SERT) function. However, how SERT deficiency promotes obesity is unknown. Here, we demonstrated that SERT ^-/- mice display abnormal fat accumulation in both white and brown adipose tissues, glucose intolerance and insulin resistance while exhibiting suppressed aromatase (Cyp19a1) expression and reduced circulating 17β-estradiol levels. 17β-estradiol replacement in SERT ^-/- mice reversed the obesity and glucose intolerance, supporting a role for estrogen in SERT deficiency-associated obesity and glucose intolerance. Treatment of wild type mice with paroxetine, a chemical inhibitor of SERT, also resulted in Cyp19

SUBMITTER: Zha W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5430688 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature