Sex differences in regional adipose tissue depots pose different threats for the development of Type 2 diabetes in males and females

Abstract

Summary Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects males and females disproportionately. In midlife, more males have T2DM than females. The sex difference in T2DM prevalence is, in part, explained by differences in regional adipose tissue characteristics. With obesity, changes to regional adipokine and cytokine release increases the risk of T2DM in both males and females with males having greater levels of TNFα and females having greater levels of leptin, CRP, and adiponectin. Regional immune cell infiltration appears to be pathogenic in both sexes via different routes as males with obesity have greater VAT ATM and a decrease in the protective Treg cells, whereas females have greater SAT ATM and T cells. Lastly, the ability of female adipose tissue to expand all regions through hyperplasia, rather than hypertrophy, protects them against the development of large insulin‐resistant adipocytes that dominate male adipose tissue. The objective of this review is to discuss how sex may affect regional differences in adipose tissue characteristics and how these differences may distinguish the development of T2DM in males and females. In doing so, we will show that the origins of T2DM development differ between males and females.

Consumption of Dehulled Adlay Improved Lipid Metabolism and Inflammation in Overweight and Obese Individuals after a 6-Week Single-Arm Pilot Study

“…Sex may also be a factor in intervention effectiveness, but studies have reported inconsistent results for sex differences in anthropometric characteristics and inflammatory parameters [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Although some studies have reported that the pathogenesis and therapeutic effects may be related to sexual dimorphism in metabolic diseases such as NAFLD and obesity [ 27 , 28 ], we detected no difference in the metabolic parameters between male and female participants. This may be explained by the small sample size, relatively young age of our participants, and the short duration of the intervention.…”

Influence of Gender in Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complication

“…Adipokines can be hormones, cytokines, chemokines, regulators of lipid metabolism, regulators of glucose homeostasis, growth factors, proteins of the alternative complement system, proteins involved in vascular homeostasis and pressure regulators, proteins involved in angiogenesis, acute and stress response inflammatory proteins, or components of the extracellular matrix. Some gender differences were also highlighted in the expression of these molecules [ 26 ]. Leptin and adiponectin are important in regulating satiety, food intake, and energy expenditure and can also influence the main mechanisms that determine peripheral insulin resistance [ 26 ].…”

“…Some gender differences were also highlighted in the expression of these molecules [ 26 ]. Leptin and adiponectin are important in regulating satiety, food intake, and energy expenditure and can also influence the main mechanisms that determine peripheral insulin resistance [ 26 ]. In general, women have higher leptin and adiponectin levels than men [ 26 ].…”

“…Leptin and adiponectin are important in regulating satiety, food intake, and energy expenditure and can also influence the main mechanisms that determine peripheral insulin resistance [ 26 ]. In general, women have higher leptin and adiponectin levels than men [ 26 ]. The increase in plasma leptin is strongly correlated with the increased risk of diabetes in males [ 26 ].…”

“…In general, women have higher leptin and adiponectin levels than men [ 26 ]. The increase in plasma leptin is strongly correlated with the increased risk of diabetes in males [ 26 ]. Women show an upregulation of adiponectin and its receptor expression in abdominal adipose tissue which coincides with a lower risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.…”