Skeletal Muscle Endogenous Estrogen Production Ameliorates the Metabolic Consequences of a High-Fat Diet in Male Mice

AIMS: The role of skeletal muscle estrogen and its ability to mitigate the negative impact of a high-fat diet (HFD) on obesity-associated metabolic impairments is unknown. To address this, we developed a novel mouse model to determine the role of endogenous 17β-estradiol (E2) production in males in skeletal muscle via inducible, skeletal muscle-specific aromatase overexpression (SkM-Arom↑). METHODS: Male SkM-Arom↑ mice and littermate controls were fed a HFD for 14 weeks prior to induction of SkM-Arom↑ for a period of 6.5 weeks. Glucose tolerance, insulin action, adipose tissue inflammation, and body composition were assessed. Indirect calorimetry and behavioral phenotyping experiments were performed using metabolic cages. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was used to determine circulating and tissue (skeletal muscle, hepatic, and adipose) E2 and testosterone concentrations. RESULTS: SkM-Arom↑ significantly increased E2 in skeletal muscle, circulation, the liver, and adipose tissue. SkM-Arom↑ ameliorated HFD-induced hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, impaired glucose tolerance, adipose tissue inflammation, and reduced hepatic lipid accumulation while eliciting skeletal muscle hypertrophy. CONCLUSION: Enhanced skeletal muscle aromatase activity in male mice induces weight loss, improves metabolic and inflammatory outcomes and mitigates the negative effects of a HFD. Additionally, our data demonstrate for the first time skeletal muscle E2 has anabolic effects on the musculoskeletal system.