We surgically removed the ovaries from female mice (OVX group) to simulate postmenopausal conditions, leading to reduced estrogen levels. We then fed these mice either a regular diet (RD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 20 weeks, comparing their fat accumulation to a control group of mice that retained their ovaries (Sham group).
Our key findings: 1) OVX mice on the HFD gained significantly more weight than other groups, indicating that a high-fat diet exacerbates fat accumulation in a low-estrogen state; 2) OVX mice displayed substantial increases in fat in the abdominal subcutaneous region (sWAT) and perirenal region (prWAT), especially with the HFD; 3) Interestingly, mesenteric fat (mWAT) showed minimal changes, though it remained sensitive to dietary fat; 4) In low estrogen conditions, fat cells in sWAT and prWAT were larger, suggesting increased fat storage capacity.
These findings highlight that menopausal obesity involves not just weight gain but also specific fat distribution changes. This is particularly concerning as visceral fat is linked to metabolic issues like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Understanding these changes is crucial for developing targeted therapies for postmenopausal obesity.
More research is needed to explore how estrogen affects fat depots and how reducing high-fat intake can mitigate related risks. For more details, check our study in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Science!