Abstract
Objective In menopause, reduction of estrogen hormone affects oxidative stress process in serum. Oxidative stress in saliva plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of oral diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the total antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation in the serum and saliva of premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Methods In this case control study, 50 postmenopausal women (case group) and 48 premenopausal women (control group) were selected. The unstimulated whole saliva and serum of the postmenopausal and premenopausal women were collected. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the saliva and serum was measured by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Also, malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) method for serum and saliva. Then, the obtained data were analyzed by SPSS 17, whereby Mann–Whitney test and Spearman's correlation test were used. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The postmenopausal group had significantly lower mean serum TAC and higher mean serum MDA than the control group (P < 0 < 001 and P < 0.01, respectively). The mean salivary TAC and MDA, however, did not differ significantly between the case and control group (P = 0.64 and P = 0.08, respectively). Conclusion In postmenopausal women, with elevation of serum MDA and reduction of serum TAC, the extent of serum oxidative stress grows, but MDA and TAC levels of saliva do not change.
Highlights
Menopause is a physiological process which usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age
Studies have indicated that oxidative stress plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of diseases associated with menopause including coronary artery disease, neurological disease, and vasomotor disorders [3, 9]
The mean duration of menopause was 8.34 ± 6.50 years. e mean duration of menopause had a significant correlation with serum MDA (P < 0.001, r 0.4), but such a correlation was not observed in serum TAC assessment (P 0.07)
Summary
Menopause is a physiological process which usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age. In this period of a woman’s life, permanent pause of follicular activity of the ovary and, eventually, menstruation cycle occurs [1, 2]. Many women experience different symptoms including hot flashes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), mood disorders, osteoporosis, as well as thinness and dryness of the vagina because of diminished estrogen levels [3, 4]. E reason of oxidative stress in menopause might be diminished levels of estrogen, which is a natural antioxidant by itself, and causes changes in lipid profile and in turn enhanced lipid peroxidation [8]. Studies have indicated that oxidative stress plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of diseases associated with menopause including coronary artery disease, neurological disease, and vasomotor disorders [3, 9]
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