Sex differences in adipose insulin resistance are linked to obesity, lipolysis and insulin receptor substrate 1
Authors' conclusion
In obesity, adipose tissue insulin resistance is more pronounced in men than in women. The mechanism involves less efficient insulin-mediated inhibition of adipocyte lipolysis, increased basal rate of lipolysis and decreased adipose expression of a key element of insulin signaling, IRS1.
Study context
- Population
- Women and men with AdipoIR measured; subsets with adipocyte lipolysis/lipogenesis studies, adipose RNAseq and mRNA quantification
- Participants
- 787 vs 2,344
- Exposure
- Men vs women
- Menn = 787
- Womenn = 2,344reference
- Outcome
- AdipoIR (in vivo adipose insulin resistance index)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
AdipoIR
- Sex difference in obesity seen in physically active and sedentary, with and without cardiometabolic disease, nicotine users or not
- p = 0.0003 or less
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Adipocyte insulin sensitivity (half maximum effective concentration) and maximal antilipolytic effect, in obesity
- Insulin sensitivity and maximal antilipolytic effect tenfold and 10% lower, respectively, in men than women
- P = 0.005 or less
Basal lipolysis rate
- Basal lipolysis two times higher in men than women
- P > 0.0001
Insulin sensitivity and maximum effect on lipogenesis
- Similar in both sexes (sensitivity; maximum effect)
- P = 0.26 and p = 0.18
Adipose IRS1 expression
- After correction for multiple comparison, only RNAseq expression of IRS1 lower in men than women
- P < 0.0001
- IRS1 mRNA transcript 60% higher in women than men
- P < 0.0001
Original publication
Sex differences in adipose insulin resistance are linked to obesity, lipolysis and insulin receptor substrate 1. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 15 March 2024. doi:10.
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