Article RETRACTED: Changes in Energy Balance and Body Composition at Menopause: A Controlled Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Natural menopause is associated with reduced energy expenditure during rest and physical activity, an accelerated loss of fat-free mass, and increased central adiposity and fasting insulin levels. These changes may indicate a worsening cardiovascular and metabolic risk profile.

Sarcopenia and its implications for the elderly

“…Anabolic hormones such as growth hormone (GH), testosterone, and estrogen are reduced with age, and the withdrawal of their trophic effects may lead to muscle atrophy and sarcopenia. As mentioned earlier, there is evidence of accelerated loss of lean mass (and gain in fat) around menopause, suggesting that estrogen could have a role in supporting muscle mass (Poehlman et al, 1995). In addition, estrogen and testosterone have been shown to suppress catabolic cytokine expression in animal models, and may have an indirect role in modulating subclinical in¯ammation in aging (see below).…”

“…These observations raise the question of whether menopause accelerates sarcopenia as it does osteopenia. A small study by Poehlman et al suggests that this is indeed the case, as women who experienced menopause had a much greater decline in lean body mass, gain in fat mass, and drop in metabolic rate than did women of similar ages who continued to have menses (Poehlman et al, 1995).…”

Ovarian function and obesity—Interrelationship, impact on women's reproductive lifespan and treatment options

“…However, studies using radiologic techniques such as computed tomography or dual x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) showed that menopause may lead to the accumulation of intra-abdominal fat tissue (Tremollieres et al, 1996;Toth et al, 2000). What is more, Page 11 of 21 A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t data from the few longitudinal studies suggest that menopause predisposes to the development of central obesity (Poehlman et al, 1995;Bjorkelund et al, 1996).…”

“…Also, it has been shown that hypoestrogenemia in ovx rats causes central leptin insensitivity and increases hypothalamic neuropeptide Y levels and thereby contribute to excess fat accumulation (Ainslie et al, 2001). Results from human studies have also demonstrated that women who became postmenopausal had significantly greater reductions in resting metabolic rate and lower physical activity levels compared to their premenopausal controls (Ravussin et al, 1988;Poehlman et al, 1995). Other factors involved in fat metabolism are also likely to be involved.…”

“…Other factors involved in fat metabolism are also likely to be involved. Using real-time PCR analysis, Misso et al (2005) (Dallongeville et al, 1995;Poehlman et al, 1995;Lynch et al, 2001). However, data from all studies using the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp technique, strongly suggest that aging and central obesity make a major contribution to the development of IR in women after menopause (DeNino et al, 2001;Guthrie et al, 2001).…”