Iron, inflammation and atherosclerosis risk in men vs. perimenopausal women

Abstract

Objective Age at first atherosclerotic event is typically older for women vs. men; monthly iron loss has been postulated to contribute to this advantage. We investigated the relationship between an MRI-based arterial wall biomarker and the serum inflammatory biomarker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in perimenopausal women vs. men. Methods and Results Women without evident atherosclerotic disease were prospectively enrolled and observed over 24 months of menopause transition, indicated by hormone levels and reduction in median number of menstrual cycles from 4 [3 – 6] per year to 0 [0 – 1] per year (P<0.01). Higher hsCRP predicted shorter carotid artery wall T2* in women entering the menopause transition (r=−0.3139, P=0.0014); this relationship weakened after 24 months of perimenopause in women (r=−0.1718, P=0.0859) and was not significant in a cohort of men matched for age and cardiovascular risk category (r=−0.0310, P=0.8362). Serum ferritin increased from baseline to 24-month follow-up during women’s menopause transition (37 [20–79] to 67 [36–97] ng/mL, P<0.01), but still remained lower compared to men (111 [45–220] ng/mL, P<0.01). Circulating ferritin levels correlated with arterial wall T2* values in women at baseline (r=−0.3163, P=0.0013) but not in women after 24 months (r=−0.0730, P=0.4684) of menopause transition nor in men (r=0.0862, P=0.5644). Conclusions An arterial wall iron-based imaging biomarker reflects degree of systemic inflammation in younger women, whereas this relationship is lost as women transition through menopause to become more similar to men. Iron homeostasis and inflammation in the arterial wall microenvironment warrants further investigation as a potential early target for interventions that mitigate atherosclerosis risk.

Sexual dimorphism of frailty and cognitive impairment: Potential underlying mechanisms

“…The corresponding body iron storage from 4.8 mg/kg bodyweight at the beginning of perimenopause at age 45 years increases to 12 mg/kg bodyweight following menopause at age 60 years. Serum ferritin increased from baseline to 24-month follow-up during the menopause transition: 37 (CI 20-79) to 67 (CI 36-97) ng/ml (P<0.01), but remained lower compared with males: 111 ng/ml (CI 45-220; P<0.01) (161). Following menopause, serum ferritin gradually increased and approached levels in males.…”

Relation of Pro-Inflammatory Markers in Men and Women With One Year Outcomes After Myocardial Infarction

“…Прогнозирование течения постинфарктного периода является важной задачей госпитального этапа ведения пациента и позволяет обосновать адекватные меры медикаментозной и немедикаментозной постгоспитальной реабилитации. Особенности женского организма определяют гендерные различия в характере течения и прогнозе ИБС [5].…”

Transferrin predicts trimethylamine-N-oxide levels and is a potential biomarker of cardiovascular disease

“…History of hypertension, statin use, smoking, diabetes status, height, weight, hip and waist circumference, waist hip ratio, and body-mass index (BMI) were abstracted from medical records and collected in person. Biomarkers studied included blood pressure, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease-derived glomerular filtration rate (MDRDGFR), hematocrit, transferrin, ferritin, hepcidin, adiponectin, TMAO, blood total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), oxidized LDL-C, triglycerides, iron, iron saturation, ferritin, and creatinine levels [ 15 , 16 ]. Baseline values of these biomarkers were used for this analysis.…”