No abstract

No abstract

The menopause is associated with multiple health and metabolic consequences resulting from the decrease in oestrogen levels. Women at postmenopausal age are burdened with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, and the main cause of mortality in this group is ischaemic heart disease. Oestrogen deficiency is related, among other things, with frequent occurrence of dyslipidaemia, cessation of the beneficial effect of oestrogens on the vascular wall, and increase in body weight characterised by unfavourable redistribution of fatty tissue, with an increased amount of visceral fat and reduction of so-called non-fatty body mass. Oestrogens exert an effect on the metabolism, mainly through the genomic mechanism. The presence of a and b oestrogen receptors was found in many tissues and organs. Recently, attention has been paid to the fact that the effect of oestrogen action on tissues and organs may depend not only on their distribution, but also on their polymorphic types. This article presents the latest approach to the problem of metabolic consequences resulting from menopause, according to the possessed a oestrogen receptor polymorphism (ERa). Genes encoding for ERa have many polymorphic variants, the most important of which from the clinical aspect are two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): Xba1 and PvuII. The review of literature indicates that ERa polymorphisms are of great importance with respect to the effect of oestrogens on the functioning of the body of a woman after menopause, and may imply the development of many pathological states, including the prevention or development of metabolic disorders. Identifying ERa polymorphisms may be useful in oestrogen therapy for menopausal women who may benefit from it. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (6): 608-614) Key words: menopause; oestrogen receptor; metabolic disorders StreszczenieMenopauza związana jest z wieloma zdrowotnymi i metabolicznymi konsekwencjami wynikającymi ze spadku poziomu estrogenów. Kobiety w wieku pomenopauzalnym są obarczone wyższym ryzykiem chorób sercowo-naczyniowych, a główną przyczyną śmiertelności w tej grupie jest choroba niedokrwienna serca. Niedobór estrogenów związany jest między innymi z częstym występowaniem dyslipidemii, przerwaniem korzystnego oddziaływania estrogenów na ściany naczyń, zwiększeniem masy ciała charakteryzującym się niekorzystnym rozmieszczeniem tkanki tłuszczowej o zwiększonej ilości tłuszczu trzewnego i redukcji tak zwanej beztłuszczowej masy ciała. Estrogeny wywierają wpływ na metabolizm głównie poprzez mechanizm genomowy. Obecność receptorów estrogenowych a i b została stwierdzona w wielu tkankach i narządach. Ostatnio zwrócono uwagę na fakt, że efekt działania estrogenów na tkanki i narządy może zależeć nie tylko od rozkładu, ale również od rodzaju ich typów polimorficznych. W artykule przedstawiono najnowsze podejście do problemu metabolicznych następstw wynikających z menopauzy, w zależności od posiadanego polimorfizmu receptora estrogenowego alfa (ERa). Geny kodujące ERa mają wiele wariantów polimorfic...

IntroductionThe focus of this study was to assess cognitive functions in relation to androgens and specifically testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone in postmenopausal women as well as the correlation between cognitive functions and these two androgens according to polymorphism of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE).Material and methodsA group of 402 women was recruited to the study (minimum 2 years after the last menstruation, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) more than 30 U/ml and no dementia signs on Montreal Cognitive Assessment). The computerized battery of the Central Nervous System Vital Signs test was used to diagnose cognitive functions. APOE genotyping was performed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Testosterone (TTE) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the blood serum were assessed for further statistical correlations analysis.ResultsIn the group of postmenopausal women, higher testosterone concentration was associated with lower scores for Neurocognition Index (NCI) (p = 0.028), memory (p = 0.008) and psychomotor speed (p < 0.001). Presence of at least one APOE ε4 allele potentiated testosterone’s negative influence on cognitive functions (p < 0.05). Woman with a high normal level of DHEA scored significantly better in verbal (p = 0.027) and visual memory (p < 0.001) than other participants. APOE polymorphism did not modify the relationship between DHEA concentration and scores for cognitive functions.ConclusionsHormonal balance variations after menopause may influence brain processes concerned with cognition, especially memory and psychomotor speed. The observed effects may be related to androgens’ influence on higher cortical functions in the changed hormonal dynamics of the postmenopausal period.

BackgroundIncreasing age, increased body mass index (BMI), and abnormal lipid profiles contribute to an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. Women who have a perimenopausal and postmenopausal reduction in estrogen levels are a high-risk group for vitamin D deficiency. The aims of this study were to compare the serum vitamin D levels, lipid profile, and BMI between perimenopausal and postmenopausal women in non-manual employment, and to determine whether there were any interdependent factors.Material/MethodsThree hundred women in non-manual employment, aged between 44–66 years, were divided into three groups: early perimenopausal; late perimenopausal; and postmenopausal. Laboratory tests included measurement of serum lipid profiles and vitamin D levels, the BMI, waist-hip ratio (WHR) and body fat were measured. Statistical analysis included F-test analysis of variance and the least significance difference (LSD) test was used for multiple comparisons.ResultsFor the 300 women who were in non-manual employment, and in the early and late perimenopausal and postmenopausal periods, serum vitamin D levels were reduced (mean 16.8±8.7 ng/mL); 29% of women had abdominal obesity; 41% had excessive body fat accumulation; and 56% had an increased body mass index (BMI) (>25 kg/m2) with raised total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, LDL/high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and total cholesterol/HDL ratios (p<0.05).ConclusionsThe findings of this study showed that in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women in non-manual employment, serum vitamin D levels were associated with serum lipid profile and degrees of obesity.