Advances in Mitochondria-Centered Mechanism Behind the Roles of Androgens and Androgen Receptor in the Regulation of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism

The document reviews the role of androgens and androgen receptors (AR) in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism through mitochondrial mechanisms. It explains that androgens and AR are crucial for metabolic health, with low levels in men leading to obesity and insulin resistance, and high levels in women causing PCOS and metabolic issues. Androgens influence mitochondrial density, morphology, and function, which affects metabolism. Testosterone supplementation can improve metabolic disorders by enhancing mitochondrial function, but the precise molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. The review also discusses how androgens/AR signaling regulates mitochondrial biogenesis, morphology, dynamics, mitophagy, and ATP production, with deficiencies leading to decreased energy production and increased oxidative damage. In females, excessive androgens/AR signaling can impair mitochondrial function, as seen in PCOS. The document suggests that targeting mitochondrial function and androgens/AR signaling could be beneficial for treating metabolic dysfunctions, and calls for more research to understand these mechanisms and the sex-dimorphic effects of androgens on metabolism.