Effects of estradiol and growth hormone on liver transcriptome in hypothyroid-orquiectomized rats

E2 and GH are critical regulators of growth and intermediate metabolism in mammals. Hypothyroidism causes endocrine and metabolic disturbances in the liver with features that mimic deficiencies of E2 or GH signalling. In this work, we used the hypothyroid-orchiectomized (TXOX) adult rat model to evaluate the influence of E2 and GH on the liver in terms of global changes in gene expression. This study shows the changes in hepatic transcriptome that were provoked by E2 benzoate (50 ug/kg; sc; 5 days per week x 27 days), intermittent GH administration (0.3 mg/kg/day;sc injection divided into two daily injections x 7 days) or the combination of E2 plus GH in TXOX rats. E2 influenced the liver transcriptome, particularly genes involved in metabolism of lipids and endo-xenobiotics, and the GH-regulated endocrine, metabolic, gender, and immune responses. E2 did not prevent the inhibitory effects of GH on urea and amino acid metabolism-related genes. Notably, the combination of E2 and GH caused deleterious effects on transcriptional immune response. These results highlight the role of E2 as a critical regulator of liver metabolism in mammals and provide insights into the functional interplay between E2 and GH in the liver.