CONCENTRATION OF SEX STEROIDS IN ADIPOSE-TISSUE AFTER MENOPAUSE

Adipose tissue is a site of uptake, storage, action, and membolism of sex steroids. After menopause aromatization of androgens to estrogens in adipose tissue is one of the most important sources of estrogen in the circulation and for peripheral tissues. The aim of this study was to estimate local ses steroid concentrations in breast and abdominal s ubcutaneous (s.c) adipose tissue, to compare them with plasma concentr ations and to investigate possible correlations with body mass index ( BMI). The patients were postmenopausal women undergoing surgery for no n-oncological reasons (Group A; n = 35) and breast cancer patients (gr oup B; n = 19). The concentrations of estrone, 17 beta-estradiol, estr one sulfate, 17 beta-estradiol sulfate, androstenedione, androstenedio l (androst-5-ene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol), testosterone and dehydroepiand rosterone were measured. The method was based on frozen tissue homogen ization, extraction with ethanol : acetone, delipidation, extraction o f estrogens with ether, and of androgens with iso-octane in toluene, f ollowed by RIA. The mean levels of steroids were higher in fat than in plasma, apart from testosterone. Levels of sulfates of estrogens and androstenediol were higher ii? breast than abdominal adipose tissue, a nd levels of estradiol lower. Positive correlations were found between BMI and tissue and plasma concentration of both estrone and androsten edione.