Oxidative and Cellular Stress Markers in Postmenopause Women with Diabetes: The Impact of Years of Menopause

Abstract

Women live approximately one-third of their lives in postmenopause. Among postmenopausal women, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases. These conditions promote alterations in the oxidative, metabolic, and immune-inflammatory profiles marked by higher extracellular 72 kDa-heat shock protein (eHSP72). Here, we investigated whether the time of menopause is associated with oxidative cellular stress marker levels in postmenopausal women with DM2. Sixty-four women were recruited ( 56.7 ± 12.6 years old) in the pre- ( n = 22 ) and postmenopause ( n = 42 ) period, with ( n = 19 ) or without DM2 ( n = 45 ), and a fasting blood collection was made for the evaluation of metabolic, oxidative, and inflammatory markers. We found that menopause and DM2 influenced metabolic and oxidative parameters and presented synergistic effects on the plasma lipoperoxidation levels. Also, postmenopausal women had the highest eHSP72 concentration levels associated with the years in postmenopause. We conclude that the time of menopause impacts the markers of cellular stress and increases the risk of oxidative stress, mainly when it is associated with DM2.

Menopause, androgens, and cardiovascular ageing: a narrative review

“… 28 In this context, impaired fibrinolysis contributes to the origin and progression of atherosclerotic changes. 29 , 30 Hyperandrogenism, visceral adiposity, and insulin resistance contribute to metabolic dysfunction, 31 , 32 generation of oxidative stress and low-grade inflammation, 33 , 34 which have been linked with endothelial dysfunction. 35 As described by experimental data, the early stages of the atherosclerotic process, as well as hyperandrogenemia, have also been demonstrated to contribute to endothelial dysfunction, 36 , 37 which eventually results in more advanced atherosclerotic changes.…”

Lipid profile of postmenopausal women

“…Postmenopause itself, due to estrogen deficiency, is susceptible to disturbances in glycemic homeostasis. 5 An increase in glycosylated hemoglobin was observed in the group of postmenopausal women, but it should be taken into account that aging itself, together with obesity and smoking, is associated with an increased risk of developing type II diabetes. 6 In women with preexisting type II diabetes, global metabolic, oxidative, and inflammatory damage low estrogen levels increases susceptibility to developing postmenopausal complications such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), osteoporosis, and metabolic syndrome.…”