OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between dehydroepiandrosterone and arteriosclerosis in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

METHODSForty premenopausal and 40 postmenopausal women were examined for serum concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone and intima-media thickness of the carotid artery, and the serum concentrations of lipids, estrogen, endothelin, and E-selectin were also measured.

RESULTSCompared with premenopausal women, the mean intima-media thickness was increased but dehydroepiandrosterone and estrogen levels were decreased in postmenopausal women. A significant inverse correlation was detected between the intima-media thicknesses and dehydroepiandrosterone level. The postmenopausal women had decreased antioxidation and elevated low-density lipoprotein level.

CONCLUSIONArteriosclerosis is more likely to occur in women with low dehydroepiandrosterone level which causes decreased antioxidation and elevation of blood lipid levels.

Adult ; Arteriosclerosis ; blood ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; blood ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Lipids ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause ; blood ; Premenopause ; blood

PURPOSE: We investigated how serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level is related to various isoforms of apolipoprotein (ApoE) polymorphism in association with obesity and metabolic syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We gathered total 332 sample of postmenopausal Korean women and analyzed ApoE isoforms, serum lipid level including LDL, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and anthropometry. The relationship between ApoE isoforms and serum lipid level, metabolic syndrome, and obesity was investigated. RESULTS: Six ApoE isoforms were found, ApoE2 [E2/2 (n=1), E2/3 (n=54), E2/4 (n=14)], ApoE3 (E3/3, n=200), ApoE4 [E3/4 (n=55), and E4/4 (n=8)]. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and obesity showed higher ApoE3 isoform than that of other isoforms. In additon, ApoE3 isoform was related to higher serum LDL and total cholesterol level than to ApoE2 isoform. The odds ratio of having the highest LDL cholesterol quartile in ApoE3 with obesity, compared to ApoE2 without obesity, was 3.46 [95% confidence interval (CI); 1.07-11.14, p=0.037], and odds ratio of ApoE3 with metabolic syndrome compared to ApoE2 without metabolic syndrome was 5.06 (95% CI; 1.14-22.29, p=0.037). Serum LDL cholesterol was positively associated with obesity or metabolic syndrome in ApoE3 isoform. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that obesity or metabolic syndrome risk should be effectively managed in ApoE3 isomform groups to reduce serum LDL in postmenopausal Korean women.
Aged ; Apolipoproteins E/*genetics ; Cholesterol, LDL/*blood ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Obesity/*blood ; *Polymorphism, Genetic ; Postmenopause/*blood ; Republic of Korea ; Syndrome

BACKGROUNDSerum osteoprotegerin (OPG) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) have been shown to play a role in bone metabolism by degrading the bone matrix. The present study was undertaken to compare OPG and MMP-2 with bone mineral density and three markers (alkaline phosphatase (AKP), calcium and phosphorus) in postmenopausal women in Wuhan.

METHODSSerum OPG, MMP-2, and AKP of 78 Chinese postmenopausal women aged 48 to 65 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Bone mineral density was measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and serum calcium and phosphorus were measured by auto biochemical analysis.

RESULTSSerum OPG and MMP-2 concentrations were significantly higher in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis ((127.6 +/- 6.3) ng/L; (1388 +/- 121) microg/L)) than those in age-matched normal controls ((72.3 +/- 2.4) ng/L; (1126 +/- 141) microg/L, P < 0.01). Negative relationships were found between serum OPG, MMP-2 levels and bone mineral density in osteoporotic women. Adjusted by age and body mass index (BMI), the correlation of MMP-2 with bone mineral density of the neck of the femur disappeared. In osteoporotic women, negative correlations between OPG, MMP-2 levels and serum calcium were found (r = -0.216; r = -0.269, P < 0.05), but positive correlations between OPG and serum AKP, serum phosphorus (r = 0.235; r = 0.124, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSignificant correlations exist between serum OPG, MMP-2 levels and bone metabolism in high bone turnover of postmenopausal osteoporotic women. The concentrations of serum OPG and MMP-2 increase possibly as a concomitant event in the high bone turnover state, such as postmenopausal osteoporosis. Therefore serum OPG and MMP-2 could be used as indicators for the bone metabolism in postmenopausal osteoporotic women.

Aged ; Bone Density ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Calcium ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Osteoprotegerin ; blood ; Postmenopause ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of Drospirenone 2 mg (DRSP) with 17-beta-Estradiol 1 mg (E2) on blood pressure (BP) and body weight in postmenopausal Korean women. METHODS: BP and body weight were measured at baseline and 3 months of the treatment. We compared the change in BP and body weight between normotensive (group 1, control) and high-normotensive (group 2) group during treatment. And we compared the change in BP and body weight between hypertensive group receiving anti-hypertensive with (group 3) and without (group 4, control) DRSP/E2 during treatment. RESULTS: The mean systolic BP/diastolic BP of group 1 was not significantly decreased from baseline (116.9/75.0 mmHg) after treatment with DRSP/E2 for 3 months (116.1/73.2 mmHg) (P<0.152/P=0.088), however that of group 2 was significantly decreased from baseline (128.8/81.8 mmHg) after treatment with DRSP/E2 for 3 months (126.2/79.3 mmHg) (P<0.001/P=0.002). The mean systolic BP/diastolic BP of group 3 was significantly decreased from baseline (133.5/82.5 mmHg) after treatment with DRSP/E2 for 3 months (129.3/77.9 mmHg) (P<0.001/P<0.001), and that of group 4 was also significantly decreased from baseline (133.2/80.7 mmHg) after treatment with DRSP/E2 for 3 months (131.0/78.3 mmHg) (P=0.002/P<0.001). However change in the mean systolic BP/diastolic BP of group 3 was greater than that of group 4 (P=0.041/P=0.024). There was no weight change in all four groups. CONCLUSION: The use of DRSP/E2 showed a tendency to decrease the BP of high-normotensive or above in postmenopausal Korean women, and hypertensive patients receiving anti-hypertensive showed greater decline in BP. However there was no statistical significance in body weight change.
Androstenes ; Blood Pressure ; Body Weight ; Body Weight Changes ; Female ; Humans ; Postmenopause

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to quantitatively measure changes in lipids and lipoproteins during perimenopause and to identify variables related to these changes. METHODS: Among women who had three regular health evaluations over a span of 2-4 years, 34 women remained in the premenopausal state, 34 premenopausal women transitioned to the postmenopausal state, and 36 postmenopausal women were enrolled. The menopausal state was determined not only by a history of amenorrhea but also by levels of female sex hormones. Yearly changes in lipids were calculated using a linear regression of the three measurements. RESULTS: The transition from premenopause to postmenopause was associated with increased total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by 7.4 +/- 8.0 mg/dL (4.2 +/- 4.9%) and 6.9 +/- 6.5 mg/dL (6.8 +/- 7.0%) over one year, resulting in an elevation of 19.6 +/- 22.6 mg/dL (10.9 +/- 13.0%) and 18.9 +/- 19.5 mg/dL (18.6 +/- 20.3%), respectively, during perimenopause. There were no changes observed in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Body weight, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides did not change in any of the three groups. In all women, changes in both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were associated with changes in follicle stimulating hormone (r = 0.40, p < 0.001 and r = 0.38, p < 0.001, respectively). Changes in triglycerides were associated with changes in body weight (r = 0.28, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: During perimenopause, total and LDL cholesterol levels increase and these changes in cholesterol are mainly dependent on changes in female sex hormones.
Adult ; Cholesterol, HDL/blood ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood ; Humans ; Lipids/*blood ; Lipoproteins/*blood ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause/*blood ; Premenopause/*blood

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between normal serum uric acid (SUA) levels and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among postmenopausal women, and determine the possible risk factors of NAFLD in this patient population.

METHODSChinese postmenopausal women who participated in the annual health check-up program from March 2009 to February 2010 were retrospectively assessed to identify individuals with SUA within normal range for study inclusion. For the total 1425 study participants, the recorded data of anthropometric parameters, metabolic factors, and serum biochemical parameters were collected. Results from abdominal ultrasonography examination were used to group participants according to presence of fatty liver. Women with fatty liver were divided into NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups. Further sub-grouping was performed according to SUA quartiles, as follows: Q1 group: less than 226.1 mumol/L); Q2 group: 226.1 mumol/L less than or equal to SUA less than 267.8 mumol/L; Q3 group: 267.8 mumol/Lless than or equal to SUA less than 303.5 mumol/L); Q4 group: 303.5 mumol/Lless than or equal toSUAless than or equal to357.0 mumol/L. The independent-sample t-test was used to compare normally distributed variables between groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze variables with skewed distribution. Categorical variables were examined by the R * C x2 test. Binary logistic analysis was used to determine the risk factors for fatty liver and to adjust for possible confounders. The multiple non-parameter independent-sample test (Kruskal-Wallis test) was used to compare the differences of SUA levels among NAFLD groups with different disease severity.

RESULTSThe prevalence of NAFLD among Chinese postmenopausal women with normal SUA was 32.8%, with NAFLD prevalences of 20.4% (70/343) in women with Q1 SUA, 26.3% (104/395) with Q2 SUA, 35.2% (128/364) with Q3 SUA, and 51.4% (166/323) with Q4 SUA. The prevalence of fatty liver showed a significant increasing trend according to the SUA quartile (x2 = 76.470, P-trend less than 0.01). Women in the SUA Q3 and Q4 groups had significantly higher risk of fatty liver presence than women in the Q1 group (P less than 0.01 for both, with or without adjustment of confounders). Disease severity did not appear to be related to disease severity, as the SUA levels in women with mild, moderate or severe fatty liver were not significantly different (286.8+/-48.2 mumol/L vs. 277.9+/-53.0 mumol/L vs. 281.4+/-48.2 mumol/L, respectively; x2 = 3.025, P more than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSUA levels were independently correlated with NAFLD in Chinese postmenopausal women. SUA levels in the higher quartiles of the normal range may be an independent risk factor of NAFLD.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; blood ; diagnosis ; Postmenopause ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Uric Acid ; blood

PURPOSE: Accumulating evidence has shown a close connection between hematopoiesis and bone formation. Our aim was to evaluate the association between peripheral blood cell counts and bone mineral density (BMD) in a sample of postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: three hundreds thirty eight healthy postmenopausal women who underwent BMD measurement during their health check-up were investigated. BMD was measured by dual energy X-ray asorptiometry at L1-L4 spine, femoral neck and total proximal femur. BMD was expressed as a T-score: among T-scores obtained from three different sites (L1-L4 spine, femoral neck and total proximal femur), the lowest T-score was considered to be the subject's T-score. RESULTS: The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis diagnosed by T-score in the study participants were 49.4% (167/338) and 5.0% (17/338), respectively. Peripheral blood white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC) and platelet counts had significant positive correlations with T-scores (p<0.001) upon simple linear regression analysis. A multiple linear regression analysis, after controlling of confounders including age, body weight, systolic blood pressure, alkaline phosphatase and creatinine, showed that WBC (beta=0.127; standard error=0.043; p=0.014), RBC (beta=0.192; standard error=0.139; p<0.001) and platelet (beta=0.097; standard error=0.001; p=0.050) counts still had significant positive association with T-scores. CONCLUSION: The study results showed a positive relationship between blood cell counts and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, supporting the idea of a close connection between hematopoiesis and bone formation. The study results also suggest that blood cell counts could be a putative marker for estimating BMD in postmenopausal women.
Aged ; *Blood Cell Count ; *Bone Density ; Female ; Hematopoiesis ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Middle Aged ; Osteogenesis ; Postmenopause/*blood/*metabolism ; Republic of Korea

OBJECTIVES: The relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism and cardiovascular disease has not yet been clearly defined. This study will investigate whether or not there is a difference in the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in menopausal women with respect to cardiovascular risk factors, and will furthermore analyze the relationship between cardiovascular diseases and subclinical hypothyroidism, in order to establish a foundation for subclinical hypothyroidism research. METHODS: The study subjects consisted of 713 post-menopausal women, who visited the hospital for a health check-up in 2006-2010. They were divided into a subclinical hypothyroidism group and a normal group. This study analyzed the difference in blood pressure, serum lipid, body mass index (BMI) and blood glucose level between the two groups. The data was analyzed using a two-sample t-test. RESULTS: The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism for menopausal women was 6.7%. The results showed no significant differences between the normal and subclinical hypothyroidism patient groups, in regards to blood pressure, BMI, and blood glucose levels (P > 0.05). However the triglyceride of serum lipid was significantly higher in the subclinical hypothyroidism group (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: It has been confirmed that the triglyceride of the subclinical hypothyroidism group was higher than that of the normal group, and so serum lipid maintenance and caution towards cardiovascular disease is necessary for the subclinical hypothyroidism group.
Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Female ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between serum vitamin D levels and index of glucose and lipid metabolism in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: A total of 44 postmenopausal women with T2DM and 41 healthy postmenopausal women were matched with age, body mass index and menopausal duration. The serum vitamin D was detected by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the level of 25(OH)D3 in postmenopausal women with T2DM was lower, with no statistical significance. Multiple regression analysis revealed that only BMI(bj'=-0.372, P<0.05) was independently related to 25(OH)D3 with statistical significance. The percentages of 25(OH)D3 deficiency in all subjects in the control group and in the T2DM group were 84.7%, 80.5%, and 88.6%, respectively. The 25(OH)D3 deficiency in the T2DM group was more prevalent than that in the control group, with no statistical difference (P=0.372). The binary logistic regression analysis showed the serum 25(OH)D3 level was not related to the risk of diabetes. CONCLUSION Compared with the control group, a lower 25(OH)D3 level and a higher rate of 25(OH)D3 deficiency is found in T2DM subjects. When rectified by BMI, these is no significant difference. In postmenopausal women, hypovitaminosis D is associated with obesity and dyslipidemia, but not with the risk of T2DM.
Body Mass Index ; Calcitriol ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Postmenopause ; Prevalence ; Vitamin D Deficiency

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Koryo Hand Therapy (KHT) on menopausal symptoms and hormone levels (Follicle Stimulating Hormone [FSH], Luteinizing Hormone [LH], and estradiol [E2]) in climacteric women. METHODS: The research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Data were collected from November 28, 2005 to February 28, 2006. The 45 participants were assigned to either the experimental group (23) or control group (22). KHT was applied three times a week, for a total of 8 weeks to the women in the experimental group. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease in menopausal symptoms (F=42.49, p=.000), FSH level (F=26.98, p=.000) and LH level (F=5.31, p=.026) between the experimental and control groups. There was an increase of the estradiol level in the experimental group but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: KHT can be applied as a supportive nursing intervention to climacteric women. KHT is expected to be a complementary alternative intervention for health management of the climacteric women.
Adult ; Climacteric ; *Complementary Therapies ; Estradiol/*blood ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/*blood ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone/*blood ; Middle Aged ; *Postmenopause/blood/psychology ; Psychometrics