Fat cells produce estrogen through the action of an enzyme called aromatase. Aromatase converts androgens (male hormones) into estrogens.
The Aromatase Process in Fat Cells
Here's a breakdown of how it works:
- Aromatase Enzyme: Fat cells (adipose tissue) contain the enzyme aromatase.
- Conversion: This enzyme facilitates the conversion of androgens, such as testosterone and androstenedione, into estrogens, primarily estradiol and estrone.
- Local Estrogen Production: The expression of aromatase in fat tissue is regulated by tissue-specific promoters. This means the amount of aromatase activity can be controlled locally.
- Localized Impact: Aromatase action in fat cells can generate high local levels of estrogen. Importantly, this can have significant biological effects within the fat tissue and surrounding areas without drastically changing the estrogen levels in the general bloodstream. This is important because general estrogen levels might be misleading as to the actual impact of estrogen in specific tissues.
- No Affect on Circulating levels: The process doesn't significantly affect circulating estrogen levels, according to research published on September 18, 2020.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Aromatase | Enzyme responsible for converting androgens to estrogens. |
| Androgens | Hormones like testosterone and androstenedione. |
| Estrogens | Hormones produced, such as estradiol and estrone. |
| Adipose Tissue | Fat cells; the site of aromatase activity. |
| Local Estrogen | The estrogen concentration near the fat cells, it may not affect total circulating estrogen level. |
In essence, fat cells don't create estrogen from scratch. Instead, they utilize the aromatase enzyme to convert existing androgens into estrogen, creating high concentrations of estrogen locally.
