Retinoic Acid Exerts Sexually Dimorphic Effects on Muscle Energy Metabolism and Function
August 2021
in “
Journal of biological chemistry/The Journal of biological chemistry
”
New to retinoic acid? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary This study observed sexually dimorphic effects of reduced Rdh10 on energy metabolism and muscle function in mice, with males experiencing decreased endurance and females showing increased endurance on a high-fat diet. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The study investigates the sexually dimorphic effects of retinoic acid (RA) on muscle energy metabolism and function in Rdh10+/− mice. Male Rdh10+/− mice on a high-fat diet showed decreased fatty acid oxidation, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and a 40% reduction in running endurance. In contrast, female Rdh10+/− mice increased fatty acid oxidation, did not experience glucose intolerance or insulin resistance, and had a 220% increase in running endurance. These differences are attributed to the interactions between RA and sex hormones, with estrogen enhancing and androgens repressing RA signaling. The findings highlight the complex role of RA in muscle metabolism and its differential impact on metabolic health in males and females.
