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Positive Effects of 17ß-Estradiol on Insulin Sensitivity in Aged Ovariectomized Female Rats

Departments of ¹ Functional Biology, Physiology Area and ² Psychology, Laboratory of Psychobiology, University of Oviedo, Spain.

Address correspondence to Celestino González González, PhD, Assistant Professor of Physiology, Department of Functional Biology, Physiology Area, University of Oviedo, C/Julián Clavería s/n 33006, Oviedo, Spain. E-mail: tinog{at}uniovi.es

Aging is associated with insulin resistance, which represents a common factor in age-related diseases. We aimed to determine the role of 17ß-estradiol on insulin sensitivity and memory during aging using ovariectomized rats (2–26 months of age) treated with physiological doses of 17ß-estradiol. Our results indicate a lack of effect of 17ß-estradiol replacement on spatial memory assessed in a water maze. Conversely, estradiol treatment improved insulin sensitivity in aging rats. These data imply that relatively low doses of 17ß-estradiol may have beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis due to the protective effects of estrogen. However, estradiol treatment used in the present study did not prevent memory impairment associated with aging.