Sexual dimorphism in age-related changes in UCP2 and leptin gene expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue in humans

The influence of age and gender on uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) expression a nd its relationship with leptin expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue h as been studied in humans. Samples of subcutaneous adipose tissue were obta ined from 41 adult subjects (20 women and 21 men), with an age range of 28 to 84 years, and body mass index (BMI) of 19 to 36 Kgm(-2). UCP2 and leptin mRNA expression was determined by northern blot. In women, both leptin and UCP2 expression in the subcutaneous adipose tissue increased significantly with age (r = 0.490 p < 0.05 and r = 0.475 p < 0.05, respectively). In men , in contrast, a negative correlation was found between leptin expression a nd age (r = -0.678 p < 0.001), while no significant correlation was apparen t between UCP2 expression and age (r = -0.077). In addition, there was a po sitive correlation between UCP2 and leptin expression in women (r = 0.656 p < 0.01). These data show important gender dependent differences in the age -related changes in leptin and UCP2 expression in subcutaneous adipose tiss ue in humans. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.