Published in:
Open Access
01-10-2017 | Original Article
Testosterone insulin-like effects: an in vitro study on the short-term metabolic effects of testosterone in human skeletal muscle cells
Authors:
C. Antinozzi, F. Marampon, C. Corinaldesi, E. Vicini, P. Sgrò, G. B. Vannelli, A. Lenzi, C. Crescioli, L. Di Luigi
Published in:
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation
|
Issue 10/2017
Login to get access
Abstract
Purpose
Testosterone by promoting different metabolic pathways contributes to short-term homeostasis of skeletal muscle, the largest insulin-sensitive tissue and the primary site for insulin-stimulated glucose utilization. Despite evidences indicate a close relationship between testosterone and glucose metabolism, the molecular mechanisms responsible for a possible testosterone-mediated insulin-like effects on skeletal muscle are still unknown.
Methods
Here we used undifferentiated proliferating or differentiated human fetal skeletal muscle cells (Hfsmc) to investigate the short-term effects of testosterone on the insulin-mediated biomolecular metabolic machinery. GLUT4 cell expression, localization and the phosphorylation/activation of AKT, ERK, mTOR and GSK3β insulin-related pathways at different time points after treatment with testosterone were analyzed.
Results
Independently from cells differentiation status, testosterone, with an insulin-like effect, induced Glut4-mRNA expression, GLUT4 protein translocation to the cytoplasmic membrane, while no effect was observed on GLUT4 protein expression levels. Furthermore, testosterone treatment modulated the insulin-dependent signal transduction pathways inducing a rapid and persistent activation of AKT, ERK and mTOR, and a transient inhibition of GSK3β. T-related effects were shown to be androgen receptor dependent.
Conclusion
All together our data indicate that testosterone through the activation of non-genomic pathways, participates in skeletal muscle glucose metabolism by inducing insulin-related effects.