Sex Difference in Hepatic Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α Expression: Influence of Pituitary and Gonadal Hormones

Abstract

AbstractPeroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α is a nuclear receptor that is mainly expressed in tissues with a high degree of fatty acid oxidation such as liver, heart, and skeletal muscle. Unsaturated fatty acids, their derivatives, and fibrates activate PPARα. Male rats are more responsive to fibrates than female rats. We therefore wanted to investigate if there is a sex difference in PPARα expression. Male rats had higher levels of hepatic PPARα mRNA and protein than female rats. Fasting increased hepatic PPARα mRNA levels to a similar degree in both sexes. Gonadectomy of male rats decreased PPARα mRNA expression to similar levels as in intact and gonadectomized female rats. Hypophysectomy increased hepatic PPARα mRNA and protein levels. The increase in PPARα mRNA after hypophysectomy was more pronounced in females than in males. GH treatment decreased PPARα mRNA and protein levels, but the sex-differentiated secretory pattern of GH does not determine the sex-differentiated expression of PPARα. The expression of PPARα mRNA in heart or soleus muscle was not influenced by gender, gonadectomy, hypophysectomy, or GH treatment. In summary, pituitary-dependent hormones specifically regulate hepatic PPARα expression. Sex hormones regulate the sex difference in hepatic PPARα levels, but not via the sexually dimorphic GH secretory pattern.