The Role of Oestrogen Receptor Beta (ERß) in the Aetiology and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Challenges facing the treatment of type 2 diabetes necessitate the search for agents which act via alternative pathways to provide better therapeutic outcomes. Recently, an increasing body of evidence implicates the activation of oestrogen receptors (ERα and ERß) in the development and treatment of underlying conditions in type 2 diabetes. This article summarizes available evidence for the involvement of oestrogen receptors in insulin secretion, insulin resistance as well as glucose uptake and highlights the potential of ERß as a therapeutic target. BACKGROUND: Recent studies indicate an association between the activation of each of the isoforms of ER and recent findings indicate that ERß shows promise as a potential target for antidiabetic drugs. In vitro and in vivo studies in receptor knockout mice indicate beneficial actions of selective agonists of ERß receptor and underscore its therapeutic potential. CONCLUSION: Studies are needed to further elucidate the exact mechanism underlying the role of ERß activation as a therapeutic approach in the management of type 2 diabetes.