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Gender-based differences in nutrient metabolism
The research in this program aims to delineate gender-based differences
in fuel utilization and nutrient partitioning under different conditions
of metabolic pertubation. An integral part of this work is to investigate
the role of the gonadotrophic hormones, and other hormones, in determining
such differences. Ultimately, this will enhance the understanding of
the metabolic basis of diseases such as coronary heart disease, obesity
and diabetes in a gender-specific manner.
Principal Investigator
Tracy Horton, Ph.D.
Contact information:
(303)-315-3048
Tracy.Horton@uchsc.edu
Purpose or description:
Research focuses on determining metabolic differences between men and women that can enhance our understanding of the metabolic basis for disease. This is particularly pertinent, as there are sex-based differences in the incidence and/or the health consequences of a number of diseases including coronary heart disease, diabetes and obesity. The main thesis is that there are different priorities for fuel utilization and nutrient partitioning in females vs males and that this has direct consequences for sex-specific disease etiology. Teleologically, this relates to the different role of males and females in sexual reproduction. Manifestation of sex-specific metabolic priorities may occur primarily under conditions of physiologolic perturbation, such as relative nutrient excess (eg. feeding), relative nutrient deficit (eg. exercise, fasting), or metabolic stress (hypoglycemia, hypoxia). An integral part of this research is to investigate the role of the gonadotrophic hormones, and other hormones, in determining sex-based differences in substrate metabolism. Although the present focus is on healthy, adult men and women of reproductive age, the aim is to extend this research to populations characterized by changes or aberrations in the gonadotrophic hormone environment (such as post-menopausal women, females with anorexia nervosa and amenorrheic athletes) and populations at increased health risk (such as the obese and the elderly). This research will provide insight into how body energy stores, substrate fluxes and metabolic factors are regulated differently between men and women in response to physiologic challenge. With such knowledge, appropriate interventions for the treatment and prevention of disease can be determined and this may require sex-specific recommendations.
Presently, a number of studies are being conducted that are directly relevant to male/female differences in metabolism. These are mainly human studies that utilize a number of different techniques including tracer techniques (using radioactive and stable isotopes), leg limb balance measurements, tissue sampling, circulating substrate and hormone measurements and wholebody respiratory gas exchange to obtain detailed information on fuel metabolism. These techniques are being used to address questions in relation to the metabolic response to exercise in men and women, catecholamine effects on lipolysis and glucose metabolism, insulin action in response to exercise, and also gender differences in post-prandial meal metabolism. This work is being conducted in collaboration with other investigators at UCHSC.
Supported by:
NIH R01, Horton PI
NIH K02, Horton PI
Staff and/or affiliated personnel:
Study Co-ordinator: Suzanne Dow, BA
Contact: (303)-315-0789
Suzanne.Dow@uchsc.edu
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