The influence of the estrous cycle on glycemic and lipid metabolism

• Grant number: 22/05589-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2022
• End date: June 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: João Paulo Gabriel Camporez
• Grantee: Marina Guerreiro Badoco
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Gender and biological sex impact the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, including metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and, in particular, insulin resistance. It is possible to observe that these disorders are less prevalent in young women than in men of the same age. In recent years, data from both clinical and experimental studies in rodents have revealed that, in addition to playing a central role in sexual development and reproduction, ovarian steroid hormones contribute enormously to glycemic homeostasis, suggesting that hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle (in humans) or estrous (in an animal model) could play a role in insulin action and possibly be related to metabolic disorders. However, studies regarding the effect of the menstrual/estrous cycle on insulin action and the impact on glycemic and lipid metabolism are scarce and controversial. In addition, strategies aimed at prevention and treatment associated with insulin resistance rarely consider the role of the menstrual/estrous cycle. Thus, the objective of this project is to investigate the influences of each phase of the estrous cycle in female mice on glycemic and lipid metabolism and insulin action, in order to know what happens in different phases of the estrous cycle, given that fluctuations in hormonal profiles throughout the cycle have been associated with changes in metabolic control and could help to increase knowledge regarding insulin action.(AU)