Project description:Bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogens (CE+BZA) combination has been shown to prevent visceral adiposity and weight gain after menopause. However, its interaction with the microbiota has yet to be examined. In the present study, we use several –omics technologies to characterize the effects of various estrogens on the health of gut-liver axis. As reported in previous studies, CE+BZA combination is very effective at preventing ovariectomy-induced weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet. Additionally, CE+BZA induces unique liver transcriptomic and blood metabolite profiles compared to estradiol, conjugated estrogens alone, and bazedoxifene alone. Several pathways and metabolites influenced are associated with lower rates of inflammation and overall benefits to gut and liver health. Finally, microbiome analysis shows that several bacterial species that potentially metabolize estrogens and affect their half-life in the body were significantly changed in CE+BZA treated mice. Our findings indicate a possible link between certain estrogens and gut microbiome and suggest a metabolic benefit of estrogens through manipulation of the gut-liver axis.
Project description:Bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogens (CE+BZA) combination has been shown to prevent visceral adiposity and weight gain after menopause. However, its interaction with the microbiota has yet to be examined. In the present study, we use several –omics technologies to characterize the effects of various estrogens on the health of gut-liver axis. As reported in previous studies, CE+BZA combination is very effective at preventing ovariectomy-induced weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet. Additionally, CE+BZA induces unique liver transcriptomic and blood metabolite profiles compared to estradiol, conjugated estrogens alone, and bazedoxifene alone. Several pathways and metabolites influenced are associated with lower rates of inflammation and overall benefits to gut and liver health. Finally, microbiome analysis shows that several bacterial species that potentially metabolize estrogens and affect their half-life in the body were significantly changed in CE+BZA treated mice. Our findings indicate a possible link between certain estrogens and gut microbiome and suggest a metabolic benefit of estrogens through manipulation of the gut-liver axis.
Project description:Estrogen improves insulin sensitivity and increases energy expenditure, contributing to sexual dimorphism regarding type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) susceptibility. Estrogen receptor α (ERα) plays a crucial role in mediating estrogen action on glucose and energy homeostasis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we found a ligand-independent effect of ERα on the regulation of glucose homeostasis and identified an ERα-derived peptide as a potential insulin sensitizer. Deficiency of ERα but not ERβ in the liver impaired glucose homeostasis in male, female, and ovariectomized (OVX) female mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that ERα promoted hepatic insulin sensitivity by suppressing ubiquitination-induced IRS1 degradation. The ERα 1-280 domain mediated the ligand-independent effect of ERα on insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, we designed a peptide based on ERα 1-280 domain and found that ERα-derived peptide interacted with IRS1, increased IRS1 stability through suppressing its ubiquitination, and enhanced insulin sensitivity. Importantly, administration of ERα-derived peptide into obese mice significantly increased insulin sensitivity, attenuated glucose intolerance, and improved serum lipid profiles. These findings pave the way for the therapeutic intervention of T2DM by targeting the ligand-independent effect of ERα and indicate that ERα-derived peptide is a potential insulin sensitizer for the treatment of T2DM.
Project description:Combination therapy with estrogen and a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) is a promising approach to safely alleviate important side effects related to estrogen deficiency in women at high risk for breast cancer. Data related to endometrial safety of estrogen+SERM co-therapies are limited, however. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the endometrial profile of low-dose E2 and Tam alone and in combination.