Figure 7.

Sex-specific relevance of estrogens and androgens in the regulation of lipid metabolism in the liver of males and females accounting for differences in NAFLD susceptibility. In male liver, androgens and low levels of testosterone-derived estrogens partly limit lipid deposition by inhibiting adipose tissue lipolysis, FA uptake, and DNL, and by promoting FAO and lipid export. In female liver, estrogens prevent while high levels of androgens (especially DHT) promote lipid deposition, by differentially regulating adipose tissue lipolysis, FA uptake, DNL, FAO and lipid export. Abbreviations: DHT, dihydrotestosterone; DNL, de novo lipogenesis; E2, 17β-estradiol; FA, fatty acids; FAO, fatty acid oxidation; T, testosterone.