Expression of glucose transporter 4 mRNA in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle of ovariectomized rats treated with sex steroid hormones

The effects of 17beta-estradiol (E) and/or progesterone (P) on glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) expression in the adipose tissue and skeletal muscle of ovariectomized female rats were studied. The Sprague-Dawley rats received daily subcutaneous injections of various doses of E and/or P for 7 days (n=5-6 per dose). The expression of GLUT4 mRNA was assessed by performing ribonuclease protection assays. GLUT4 protein levels were assessed by Western blotting assays. The adipose tissue levels of GLUT4 mRNA were reduced by the administration of 50 microg E, which resulted in unphysiologically high serum E concentrations. Although the GLUT4 mRNA levels did not change after the administration of 10 microg E or 5 mg P, they were reduced significantly to approximately half the control group level by the administration of both hormones (p <0.01). The skeletal muscle GLUT4 mRNA levels were not changed significantly by hormone treatment. These findings suggest that E and P may be involved in the regulation of GLUT4 mRNA expression in adipose tissue.