AROMATASE PROTEIN CONTENT IN GLUTEAL AND ABDOMINAL SUBCUTANEOUS ADIPOSE TISSUE IN PREMENOPAUSAL CAUCASIAN AND AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine if aromatase protein content differs in abdominal and gluteal adipose tissue and to determine if there are racial differences in aromatase protein content that might influence racial differences in regional body fat distribution in overweight to obese premenopausal women. MATERIALS/METHODS: Biopsies of the subcutaneous abdominal and gluteal adipose tissue were performed in 15 premenopausal women (7 C/8 AA, 25.1 + 1.8 years, BMI 29.5 + 0.5kg/m(2)). Adipose tissue protein content was measure by western blot analysis. Independent sample t-tests were used to determine racial differences in subject characteristics and sex hormones. Two-way repeated measure ANOVA (race x region) was used to determine racial differences (C versus AA) in estrogen receptor expression in the abdominal and gluteal SAT. RESULTS: Aromatase protein content was not different between races or regions: C abdominal 0.25±0.06, C gluteal 0.25±0.12, AA abdominal 0.35±0.08, AA gluteal 0.32±0.09 arbitrary units (2-way ANOVA; race x region p=0.73, race p=0.46, region p=0.71). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed no significant differences in aromatase protein content between regions or races in the observed group. No regional or racial differences in aromatase protein content were detected in this study.