Insulin is a primary hormone responsible for lipogenesis, the process of converting excess carbohydrates and proteins into fatty acids and triglycerides for storage in adipose tissue. However, other hormones also play significant roles, either stimulating or inhibiting lipogenesis.
Key Hormones Involved in Lipogenesis
- Insulin: Insulin promotes lipogenesis by increasing the activity of key enzymes involved in fatty acid synthesis. As noted in a study on lipid metabolism (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9607181/), insulin plays a central role in promoting energy storage and inhibiting energy release.
- Thyroid Hormone: While less directly involved than insulin, thyroid hormone regulates the rate of lipogenesis. Studies (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1985090/) show that thyroid hormone influences the activity of enzymes in the lipogenic pathway in both liver and adipose tissue.
- Sex Steroid Hormones: Estrogens and androgens can influence lipogenesis, with their effects varying depending on the tissue and specific enzymes involved. Research (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12672-010-0009-7) indicates that sex steroid hormones induce the overexpression of lipogenic enzymes in certain cancer cells, increasing lipogenesis.
- Leptin and Growth Hormone: These hormones also contribute to the complex regulation of lipogenesis, but their roles are less central than insulin's. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/lipogenesis)
Factors Affecting Lipogenesis Beyond Hormones
It is crucial to remember that lipogenesis is not solely controlled by hormones. Dietary intake, particularly the consumption of carbohydrates and fats, significantly impacts the rate of lipogenesis. A diet rich in sucrose, for example, can induce lipogenic enzymes. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1985090/)
