The influence of sex hormones in liver function and disease

Kasarinaite, A., Sinton, M. , Saunders, P. T. K. and Hay, D. C. (2023) The influence of sex hormones in liver function and disease. Cells, 12(12), 1604. (doi: 10.3390/cells12121604) (PMID:37371074) (PMCID:PMC10296738)

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Abstract

The liver performs a multitude of bodily functions, whilst retaining the ability to regenerate damaged tissue. In this review, we discuss sex steroid biology, regulation of mammalian liver physiology and the development of new model systems to improve our understanding of liver biology in health and disease. A major risk factor for the development of liver disease is hepatic fibrosis. Key drivers of this process are metabolic dysfunction and pathologic activation of the immune system. Although non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is largely regarded as benign, it does progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in a subset of patients, increasing their risk of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD susceptibility varies across the population, with obesity and insulin resistance playing a strong role in the disease development. Additionally, sex and age have been identified as important risk factors. In addition to the regulation of liver biochemistry, sex hormones also regulate the immune system, with sexual dimorphism described for both innate and adaptive immune responses. Therefore, sex differences in liver metabolism, immunity and their interplay are important factors to consider when designing, studying and developing therapeutic strategies to treat human liver disease. The purpose of this review is to provide the reader with a general overview of sex steroid biology and their regulation of mammalian liver physiology.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Sinton, Dr Matthew
Authors: Kasarinaite, A., Sinton, M., Saunders, P. T. K., and Hay, D. C.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Cells
Publisher:MDPI
ISSN:2073-4409
ISSN (Online):2073-4409
Published Online:11 June 2023
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2023 The Authors
First Published:First published in Cells 12(12): 1604
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
301099The skin as a reservoir for trypanosomes: the key to transmission and disease pathologyAnnette MacLeodWellcome Trust (WELLCOTR)209511/Z/17/ZInstitute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine