Protective Effect of Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin against Metabolic Syndrome: In Vitro Evidence Showing Anti-Inflammatory and Lipolytic Effects on Adipocytes and Macrophages

Figure 5

Coincubation with testosterone or 17β-estradiol did not affect the function of SHBG. (a) Differentiated 3T3-L1 cells were treated with SHBG protein in the presence or absence of 1 μM testosterone (T) or 17β-estradiol (E₂) overnight, followed by stimulation with 1 ng/ml LPS for 12 hrs. mRNA levels of MCP-1 and IL-6 were measured by RT-PCR. Student’s t-test was performed. Mean ± S.D. (, , ). (b) Differentiated 3T3-L1 cells were treated with SHBG protein at concentrations ranging from 0–20 nM in serum-free media containing 20 μM of testosterone (T) or 17β-estradiol (E₂). Three days later, Nile Red staining was performed and fluorescence was quantified. The Jonckheere test was performed. Mean ± S.D. (, ).

(a)

(b)