Evaluation of the relationship between 5-HTT and MAO gene polymorphisms, mood and level of anxiety among postmenopausal women.

Elżbieta Grochans,Anna Włoszczak-Szubzda,Beata Karakiewicz,Małgorzata Szkup,Agnieszka Brodowska,Anna Jurczak,Anna Grzywacz,Jerzy Samochowiec,Agnieszka Samochowiec

doi:10.3390/ijerph120100268

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze how mood and anxiety level are related to the functional genetic polymorphism in the promoter region of SLC6A4 (5-HTTLPR) and the 30-bp VNTR polymorphism in the MAO A promoter region. Methods: The study involved 272 postmenopausal women from Poland. The authors employed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for measuring levels of anxiety, the Mood Adjective Check List for measuring mood, and genetic tests. Results: Analysis did not show any statistically significant differences in the mean levels of anxiety, and mood disorders in women in relation to genotypes of the 5-HTTLPR (SLC6A4) polymorphism and the 30-bp VNTR polymorphism in the MAO A promoter region. However, these problems were more severe among women with s/s genotype. In the case of MAO A gene polymorphism, the level of anxiety was higher in women with a 4/4 genotype. Conclusions: The study did not prove the possibility of the identification of homogeneous groups of women with an elevated risk of developing anxiety and mood disorders during the post-menopausal period. Nevertheless, it showed that respondents with s/s genotype of the 44-bp polymorphism in the 5-HTT (SLC6A4) promoter region had the highest average anxiety levels both as a state and as a trait. Furthermore, the analysis of the 30-bp VNTR polymorphism in the MAO A promoter region demonstrated slight differences in anxiety levels between the women, indicating that those with a 4/4 genotype had higher severity of anxiety symptoms.

Highlights

Menopause is the last menstruation in a woman’s life, usually occurring between the ages of 48–52.Health problems of postmenopausal women have become a tremendous challenge for both modern medicine and social sciences, because as much as 30% of the woman’s life falls within the postmenopausal period [1].The most frequent climacteric symptoms are hot flushes and excessive sweating
The functional genetic polymorphism in the promoter region of SLC6A4 (5-HTTLPR) and the 30-bp VNTR polymorphism in the monoamino oxidase A (MAO A) promoter region: With reference to the incidence of anxiety as a state and as a trait according to State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) X-1 and X-2; With reference to the severity of mood changes according to UWIST Mood Adjective Checklist (UMACL)
In the menopausal transition period most women experience symptoms of distress, such as: vasomotor complaints, poor sleep, vaginal dryness, depressed mood [20], feelings of irritability, anxiety, and decreased interest in sexual activity, which make a considerable contribution to the lowering of their quality of life [21]

Summary

Introduction

Menopause is the last menstruation in a woman’s life, usually occurring between the ages of 48–52.Health problems of postmenopausal women have become a tremendous challenge for both modern medicine and social sciences, because as much as 30% of the woman’s life falls within the postmenopausal period [1].The most frequent climacteric symptoms are hot flushes and excessive sweating. Menopause is the last menstruation in a woman’s life, usually occurring between the ages of 48–52. Health problems of postmenopausal women have become a tremendous challenge for both modern medicine and social sciences, because as much as 30% of the woman’s life falls within the postmenopausal period [1]. The most frequent climacteric symptoms are hot flushes and excessive sweating. Their occurrence is associated with changes in the levels of neurotransmitters, mainly adrenalin, serotonin, dopamine, and prostaglandins, acting locally at the central nervous system level [2]. Females are exposed to anxiety disorders including anxiety attacks (panic disorder) two to three times more frequently than males, especially during the perimenopausal period. The etiology of panic disorder covers the serotonergic, noradrenergic, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and neuroanatomic models, as well as the genetic hypothesis (strong stressors are necessary)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion