Lipoproteins In Women Research Articles

The relationship between pregnancy count and duration of breast-feeding with metabolic syndrome (Fasa Persian cohort study)

BackgroundChanges that occur during pregnancy and after that during breastfeeding induce some symptoms similar to metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors. This study aims to determine the relationship between pregnancy, as well as the duration of breastfeeding and MetS controlling the effect of other risk factors like hypertension, glucose intolerance, triglyceride, central obesity, and reduction of high-density lipoprotein in women of Fasa Persian Cohort Study.Materials and methodsIn this cross-sectional study, 5015 women aged 35–70 years were investigated in the Sheshdeh region from 2016 to 2021, and the information related to the disease symptoms was collected through questionnaires, examinations, and laboratory tests. MetS was calculated based on two guidelines according to adult treatment panel III (ATP III) and international diabetes federation (IDF) methods. For reporting the data, the odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval was used. In order to eliminate the effect of confounders, logistic regression was used.ResultsPrevalence of MetS showed a descending trend in women with up to two pregnancies and it reached 22.6% and 22.4% using ATPIII and IDF methods respectively, while with an increase in the number of pregnancies of more than two, MetS prevalence was ascending. The prevalence of MetS did not have any specific trend across various breastfeeding duration groups. Multivariate analysis approved that the odds ratio of developing MetS in comparison with women who had two pregnancies was significantly increasing trend when the pregnancy counts increased.ConclusionThe chance of developing MetS based on both IDF and ATP III methods after adjustment for confounding effects would grow with an increase in the number of pregnancies to more than two and breast-feeding of more than seven years. It is recommended that women with more than two pregnancies or the long duration of breast-feeding women undergo a specialized examination to investigate and control MetS problems so that future diseases could be prevented.

Evaluation of the relationship between Fetuin-A level and some biochemical variables in women with PCOS

The current study included the collection of 90 serum samples to assess the relationship between the level of Fetuin-A, and some biochemical variables in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. The samples were collected from external laboratories in Salah El-Din Governorate for the period from 10/29/2021 to 12/25/2021. 60 samples of women with PCOS and 30 samples representing the control group, their ages ranged between (18-40) years for patients and healthy ones. Fetuin-A level and lipid profile were estimated in the blood serum of groups for both of women with PCOS and healthy women as a control group. The results of the study showed that the level of Fetuin-A was significantly increased at (P≤0.05) in women with PCOS compared to healthy women as a control group, and the results also showed a significant increase (P≤0.05) in the cholesterol level, Triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins, with no significant difference in the level of high-density lipoprotein- and very low-density lipoproteins in women with PCOS compared to healthy women as a control group.

The Effects of Exclusive Walking on Lipids and Lipoproteins in Women with Overweight and Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To evaluate the effects of walking, independent of diet and weight-loss, on lipids and lipoproteins in women with overweight and obesity. Academic Search Complete, Alternative Health Watch, Global Health, Health Source, CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, SportDiscus, and ProQuest. (1) experiment-control design; (2) women with overweight or obesity; (3) walking as the experiment's independent variable; (4) four or more weeks; and (5) pre- to post-assessment of lipids and/or lipoproteins. Excluded studies reported use of lipid-lowering medication, diet or other modes of physical activity, and alternative interventions as the control. Data extraction and study quality were completed by the first 2 authors using the Cochrane review protocol and risk of bias assessment. Raw mean difference between the experiment and control groups using a random effects model. Meta-analyses of 21 interventions (N = 1129) demonstrated exclusive walking improves total cholesterol (raw mean difference = 6.67mg/dL, P = .04) and low-density lipoproteins (raw mean difference = 7.38mg/dL, P = .04). Greater improvement in total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins, and low-density lipoproteins existed in women with obesity. Exclusive walking aids in normalizing total cholesterol and LDLs in women with overweight and obesity. Exclusive walking can be used as a non-pharmacologic therapy, which may have positive clinical outcomes for individuals who especially struggle with diet and weight-reduction.

The effect of eight weeks of resistance training with pomegranate juice supplementation on inflammatory / anti-inflammatory factors and some lipoproteins in women with type 2 diabetes

The effect of eight weeks of resistance training with pomegranate juice supplementation on inflammatory / anti-inflammatory factors and some lipoproteins in women with type 2 diabetes

Bimodal fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (BFAHP) for coronary heart disease risk assessment

Rooted deeply in medical multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM), risk assessment is very important especially when applied to the risk of being affected by deadly diseases such as coronary heart disease (CHD). CHD risk assessment is a stochastic, uncertain, and highly dynamic process influenced by various known and unknown variables. In recent years, there has been a great interest in fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP), a popular methodology for dealing with uncertainty in MCDM. This paper proposes a new FAHP, bimodal fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (BFAHP) that augments two aspects of knowledge, probability and validity, to fuzzy numbers to better deal with uncertainty. In BFAHP, fuzzy validity is computed by aggregating the validities of relevant risk factors based on expert knowledge and collective intelligence. By considering both soft and statistical data, we compute the fuzzy probability of risk factors using the Bayesian formulation. In BFAHP approach, these fuzzy validities and fuzzy probabilities are used to construct a reciprocal comparison matrix. We then aggregate fuzzy probabilities and fuzzy validities in a pairwise manner for each risk factor and each alternative. BFAHP decides about being affected and not being affected by ranking of high and low risks. For evaluation, the proposed approach is applied to the risk of being affected by CHD using a real dataset of 152 patients of Iranian hospitals. Simulation results confirm that adding validity in a fuzzy manner can accrue more confidence of results and clinically useful especially in the face of incomplete information when compared with actual results. Applying the proposed BFAHP on CHD risk assessment of the dataset, it yields high accuracy rate above 85% for correct prediction. In addition, this paper recognizes that the risk factors of diastolic blood pressure in men and high-density lipoprotein in women are more important in CHD than other risk factors.

Relationship of “weekend warrior” and regular physical activity patterns with metabolic syndrome and its associated diseases among Chinese rural adults

ABSTRACTLittle is known about the “weekend warrior” pattern of physical activity (PA) where people perform all their PA in 1 or 2 sessions per week. We investigated the relationship of weekend warrior and other PA patterns with metabolic syndrome (MS) and its associated diseases. Data on sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics were collected from the Nantong Metabolic Syndrome Study that included 13,505 women and 6,997 men between 2007 and 2008. Compared with inactive participants, weekend warriors were at lower risk of MS, diabetes, and hypertension; respective odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for men and women were 0.58 (0.43–0.79) and 0.67 (0.52–0.86), 0.52 (0.34–0.79) and 0.52 (0.33–0.83), and 0.79 (0.63–0.99) and 0.71 (0.57–0.89). Similar results were observed with regular activity, at a frequency of >3 sessions per week. Both weekend warrior and regular PA patterns showed a 10–60% decrease in abnormal triglycerides, glucose, and blood pressure in both sexes; abnormal waist circumference in men only; and abnormal high-density lipoprotein in women only. Our observed cross-sectional relationships reflect that >150 min/week of moderate PA or 75 min/week vigorous-intensity PA is needed to prevent MS and its component diseases, even if in a short-bout, intermittent PA pattern.Abbreviations: MS: Metabolic syndrome; WC: Waist circumference; TG: Triglycerides; HDL-c: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol; BP: Blood pressure; SBP: Systolic blood pressure, DBP: Diastolic blood pressure; PA: Physical activity; JIS: Joint Interim Statement; CVD: Cardiovascular disease; ATP III: US Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program, the Adult Treatment Panel; IDF: International Diabetes Federation; IPAQ: International Physical Activity Questionnaire; BMI: Body mass index; CDC: the Nantong Centers for Disease Control; OR: Odds ratio; CI: Confidence interval; SD: Standard deviation; IQR: Interquartile range.

Abstract P101: Menopause and its Related Endogenous Sex Hormone Alterations are Associated with Changes in Function and Subclasses of High-density Lipoprotein in Women at Midlife

Objective: Growing evidence challenges the cardioprotective effects of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) in postmenopausal women. HDL particle size and concentration are heterogeneous and HDL-C only measures the cholesterol content of all HDL particles. Therefore, HDL-C does not necessarily reflect HDL subclasses or functionality, which may be more important in predicting CVD risk. Our main objective was to characterize HDL subclasses and functional alterations over menopause and to evaluate their associations with changes in estradiol (E2) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), cardinal hormonal markers of menopause. Methods: Participants were drawn from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) at the Pittsburgh site. The women had stored blood specimens at two time points; one before and one after they reached menopause. HDL particle concentration and size using calibrated ion mobility analyses and HDL cholesterol efflux capacity (HDL-CEC) with radiolabeled J774 macrophages were measured at the two time points. None of the study participants were on lipid lowering medications or hormone therapy. Results: The study included 50 women (66% White and 34% Black), who were 47 (45, 49) years old (median (Q1, Q3)) and were either pre- (38%) or early peri-menopause (62%) at the first time point. At the second time point, all participants were postmenopausal with a median (Q1, Q3) time since their final menstrual period of 2.14 (1.55, 3.41) years. After menopause, women had significantly higher concentrations of total and large HDL particles, and smaller sizes of medium and small HDL particles (all P<0.05), independent of race and change in age. HDL-CEC was significantly higher after menopause. Independent of age and race, larger declines in E2 were correlated with a more atherogenic changes (smaller increases in large HDL particles and larger increases in small HDL particles concentrations, P<0.05). Additionally, greater rises in FSH were correlated with bigger reductions in sizes of large and medium HDL particles (P<0.05). Conclusions: Within a median of 2.14 years of menopause, an improvement in HDL-CEC and significant alterations in HDL particle subclasses were observed. Whether patterns of these alterations change further in late postmenopause and how they relate to atherosclerotic risk are not known. The reported changes in HDL metrics over menopause warrant further evaluation of their potential risk on CVD after menopause.

Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide Is Associated With Lower Low-Density Lipoprotein But Unhealthy Fat Distribution, Independent of Insulin: The ADDITION-PRO Study.

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) may increase lipid clearance by stimulating lipid uptake. However, given that GIP promotes release of insulin by the pancreas and insulin is anti-lipolytic, the effect may be indirect. In this study we examined the association between GIP and lipid metabolism in individuals with low to high risk of type 2 diabetes and assessed whether the associations were modified by or mediated through insulin. Analyses were based on the Danish cross-sectional ADDITION-PRO study (n = 1405). Lipid metabolism was measured by fasting plasma lipids and obesity including abdominal fat distribution assessed by ultrasonography. GIP and insulin were measured during an oral glucose tolerance test (0, 30 and 120 min). Linear regression analysis was used to study the associations between GIP, plasma lipids, and obesity measures. A doubling in fasting GIP levels was associated with lower low-density lipoprotein in both men (mean [95% CI] -0.10 mmol/l [-0.18--0.03]) and women (-0.14 mmol/l [-0.23--0.04]) and with higher high-density lipoprotein in women (0.06 mmol/l [-0.02-0.10]). In men, a doubling in stimulated GIP was associated with 0.13 cm less 0.01-0.25 sc fat but with more visceral abdominal fat (0.45 cm [0.12-0.78]) and higher waist-hip ratio (0.011 [0.004-0.019]). Contrary to what was previously thought, GIP may be associated with improved low-density lipoprotein clearance but with an unhealthy fat distribution independent of insulin. The effect of GIP on obesity measures was substantially different between men and women. The potential effect of GIP on visceral and sc adipose tissue physiology warrants further examination.

Alterations in lipid profile in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and type 2 DM women during pregnancy

Objective: To study the effect of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) on indices of lipid profile in maternal blood samples and compare them with normal pregnancies. Methodology: Blood samples were collected from 45 normal pregnant women and 30 women with GDM and 15 women with type 2 DM during pregnancy. Serum lipids which include Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Very Low Density Lipoprotein, Low Density Lipoproteinand High Density Lipoprotein were estimated using semi-automated clinical chemistry analyzer. Results: The results of the lipid profile showed elevated levels of Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Very Low Density Lipoprotein and Low Density Lipoprotein in women with GDM and pregnant type 2 DM women compared to controls. On the other hand,the High Density Lipoprotein levels were significantly elevated in controls. Conclusion: In Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and type 2 DM during pregnancy, the lipid profile alters in such manner that could be atherogenic and possibly harmful to the fetus.

321: Gender peculiarities of lipid profile and metabolic oxygen-dependent reactions in patients with acute myocardial infarction accompanied with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

It is well known that prognosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in women (taking into consideration the age correction) is more unfavorable than in men. That's why studying of pathogenetic issues of AMI in women with metabolic disorders is highly important. The purpose of the research is to determine the gender peculiarities of lipid profile changes and the state of metabolic oxygen-dependent reactions in patients with AMI accompanied with NASH. 59 men and 36 women with AMI accompanied with NASH were examined. All women had menopause. The amount of troponin, creatine phosphokinase, transaminases was determined in blood of all patients. Also the data of liver ultrasound and liver biopsy were analyzed. The state of metabolic oxygen-dependent reactions was determined by spectrophotometric method; the levels of malonic dialdehyde (MDA) and diene conjugates (DC) were analyzed. Women had higher indexes of MDA (+10,2%, p=0,028) and DC (+15,2%, p=0,009) in comparison with men. Also, a decreased activity of superoxide dismutase and ceruloplasmin was revealed in women (−12,7% and − 3,3% respectively, p<0,05). Disorders of blood lipid profile were determined in patients of both groups. However, women had reliably higher level of cholesterol (+15,4%, p=0,027), triglycerides (+22,8%, p=0,003) and low-density lipoproteins (+15,8%, p=0,015). Besides, the level of high-density lipoprotein in women was lower than in men (−17,6%, p=0,022). Women with AMI accompanied with NASH were characterized by more significant derangements of lipid profile and higher activity of metabolic oxygen-dependent reactions than men. The mentioned above changes in women were probably caused by loss of estrogen protection due to menopause. Such changes suggest the need in more intensive hypolipidemic and antioxidant therapy in women with AMI accompanied with NASH.

Gender-Specific Alterations in Fibrin Structure Function in Type 2 Diabetes: Associations with Cardiometabolic and Vascular Markers

Diabetes is associated with increased incidence of atherothrombotic disease. The fibrin network forms the backbone of the arterial thrombus, and fibrin clot structure determines predisposition to cardiovascular events. The aim of the study was to investigate fibrin clot structure/fibrinolysis in the largest type 2 diabetes cohort and analyze associations with cardiometabolic risk factors and vascular pathology. Clot structure/fibrinolysis was assessed in 875 participants of the Edinburgh Type 2 Diabetes Study [age, 68 (range, 60-75) yr; 450 males] by turbidimetric assays, and clots were visualized by confocal microscopy. Four parameters of clot structure/fibrinolysis were analyzed, and plasma levels of fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were studied by Clauss assay and ELISA, respectively. Clot maximum absorbance was increased in females compared with males (0.37 ± 0.005 and 0.34 ± 0.005 arbitrary unit, respectively; P < 0.001), and took longer to lyse (803 ± 20 and 665 ± 12 sec, respectively; P < 0.001). These gender differences in clot structure and fibrinolysis were still evident after correcting for fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 plasma levels. A prothrombotic fibrin structure profile was associated with increased body mass index and low levels of high-density lipoprotein in women and with inadequate diabetes control in men. Clot formation time was related to previous cardiac ischemic events in both men and women after adjusting for traditional risk factors [odds ratio, 1.22 (95% confidence interval, 1.07, 1.38); and 1.33 (1.15, 1.50), respectively], and prothrombotic clots were associated with low ankle brachial index, renal impairment, and smoking, regardless of gender. Women with type 2 diabetes have compact clots with compromised fibrinolysis compared with men. There are gender-specific associations between clotting parameters and cardiometabolic risk factors in this population, whereas vascular abnormalities, impaired renal function, and smoking are associated with prothrombotic clot structure profile regardless of gender.

A single 1-h session of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise does not modify lipids and lipoproteins in normolipidemic obese women

The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of a single session of aerobic exercise on lipids and lipoproteins in women who were sedentary and obese. Women (n = 12) who were premenopausal, sedentary, and obese (body mass index, 30-40kg·m(-2); waist circumference> 88cm) completed exercise and control trials in a randomly assigned order. Exercise consisted of a single session of treadmill walking at 70% maximum oxygen uptake until 500kcal were expended, and the control protocol consisted of 60min of seated rest. Fasting blood samples were collected immediately prior to, 24h, and 48h following the exercise and control sessions and analyzed for triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), HDL(2)-C, and HDL(3)-C concentrations, and mean LDL, HDL(2), and HDL(3) particle size and cholesterol distributions. A 2× 3 (trial× time) ANOVA with repeated measures revealed no significant (p> 0.05) changes in the lipid and lipoprotein variables 24 and 48h following exercise. In contrast to previously published data in lean men and women, a single session of treadmill exercise at 70% maximum oxygen uptake that expended 500kcal was insufficient to modify lipids and lipoproteins in women who were sedentary, normolipidemic, and obese.

A Mediterranean-style, low–glycemic-load diet decreases atherogenic lipoproteins and reduces lipoprotein (a) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein in women with metabolic syndrome

The objective was to assess the impact of a Mediterranean-style, low–glycemic-load diet (control group, n = 41) and the same diet plus a medical food (MF) containing phytosterols, soy protein, and extracts from hops and Acacia (MF group, n = 42) on lipoprotein atherogenicity in women with metabolic syndrome. Plasma lipids, apolipoproteins (apos), lipoprotein subfractions and particle size, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, and lipoprotein (a) were measured at baseline, week 8, and week 12 of the intervention. Three-day dietary records were collected at the same time points to assess compliance. Compared with baseline, women decreased energy intake from carbohydrate (P < .001) and fat (P < .001), whereas they increased energy intake from protein (P < .001). A significant increase in energy from monounsaturated fatty acids was also observed as well as increases in eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, whereas trans-fatty acid intake was reduced (P < .00001). The atherogenic lipoproteins, large very low-density lipoprotein (P < .0001) and small LDL (P < .0001), were reduced, whereas the ratio of large high-density lipoprotein to smaller high-density lipoprotein particles was increased (P < .0001). Apolipoprotein B was reduced for all women (P < .0001), with a greater reduction in the MF group (P < .025). Oxidized LDL (P < .05) and lipoprotein (a) (P < .001) were reduced in both groups at the end of the intervention. Consumption of a Mediterranean-style diet reduces the risk for cardiovascular disease by decreasing atherogenic lipoproteins, oxidized LDL, and apo B. Inclusion of an MF may have an additional effect in reducing apo B.

A Study of Lipoproteins in Normal and Pregnancy Induced Hypertensive Women in Tertiary Care Hospitals of the North West Frontier Province-Pakistan

Objectives. To evaluate the levels of serum lipoproteins in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension and compare it with the corresponding levels in pregnant women having normal blood pressure. Method. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the three tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar, North West Frontier Province, Pakistan. A total of 206 pregnant women at gestational age of >20 weeks were registered in the study after taking informed consent. All relevant information was recorded on a predesigned questionnaire. Serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels were measured in 151 women with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and compared with the corresponding values for a control group of 55 normotensive pregnant women. Result. Cholesterol levels were not statistically different between the patient group and controls. Triglyceride levels were significantly higher in the patient group than in controls. Women who developed hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation had 6.7, 4.2, 40.5, and 39.7% higher concentrations of TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and TG, respectively, and 28, 22.4, and 67.6% higher ratios of TC : HDL-C, LDL-C : HDL-C, and TG : HDL-C, respectively, as compared to the control subjects. The mean difference of the concentrations of HDL-C, VLDL-C, and TG, and the ratios TC : HDL-C, LDL-C : HDL-C, TG : HDL-C, and HDL-C : VLDL-C between the patients and control group was statistically significant. Conclusion. The assessment of blood lipids may be helpful in the prevention of complications in PIH patients.

The effect of modifying dietary protein and carbohydrate in weight loss on arterial compliance and postprandial lipidemia in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome

In overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome, weight loss improves arterial compliance and postprandial lipidemia. Modifying dietary carbohydrate or protein in weight loss provided similar improvements in arterial compliance and postprandial lipidemia.

271: First trimester maternal levels of adiponectin, lipids and lipoproteins in women who subsequently develop gestational diabetes mellitus

271: First trimester maternal levels of adiponectin, lipids and lipoproteins in women who subsequently develop gestational diabetes mellitus

Gender differences in obesity related cardiovascular risk factors in Spain

Background Obesity and overweight are increasing progressively leading to an increase in cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular events. Methods The MESYAS Registry (Metabolic Syndrome in Active Subjects) recruited active workers from their annual health examinations in Spain through 2003. Body mass index was used to diagnose overweight and obesity. Metabolic syndrome (MS) and risk factors were assessed according to the ATP-III definitions. Results 19,041 subjects were included (80% males), mean age 42.2 (10.7). The prevalence of overweight was 44.6% (44.0–45.2), obesity 17.3% (17.0–17.5) and MS 12.0% (11.8–12.2). Women had lower prevalence of all cardiovascular risk factors. Multivariate analysis showed independent associations between overweight (OR: 2.4; 95% CI 2.2–2.6) or obesity (OR: 5.3; 95% CI 4.7–5.9) and any other two MS criteria. Overweight and obesity were independently associated with all cardiovascular risk factors, except low high-density lipoproteins in women. Significantly higher association was found in women between obesity and diabetes (OR: 13.6; 95% CI 3.8–48.6), MS (OR: 10.6; 7.6–14.8), hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 8.6; 95% CI 5.6–13.1), and impaired fasting glucose (OR: 3.7; 95% CI 2.7–5.3). Conclusions Overweight and obesity are strongly related to classical cardiovascular risk factors, atherogenic dyslipidaemia and MS. Obesity has higher association to insulin-resistance related risk factors in women.

Ghrelin receptor gene polymorphisms are associated with female metabolic syndrome in Chinese population

The ghrelin plays an important role in the regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis. Therefore, the ghrelin receptor gene (GHSR) is an excellent candidate for studying metabolic syndrome. This study aimed to investigate whether polymorphisms in ghrelin receptor gene are associated with metabolic syndrome in Chinese population. Subjects consisted of 698 patients aged 41 to 80 years, diagnosed as metabolic syndrome by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2005 criteria, and 762 age- and gender-matched controls. Three variants within the GHSR were selected and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Odds ratios were estimated using a case-control study design by controlling confounding factors. The A/A genotype (rs2922126) in the promoter was associated with metabolic syndrome (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.03-1.94), increased waist circumference (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.26-2.42), and increased fast blood glucose (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.07-2.06) in women. The A/A genotype (rs509030) in the intron was associated with lower plasma high density lipoprotein in women (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.02-1.84). The polymorphisms within GHSR might be a genetic risk factor for metabolic syndrome in women.

Influence of Aging and Menopause on Lipids and Lipoproteins in Women

The actions of endogenous estrogens on the cardiovascular system can be mediated directly on the vessels or indirectly through the modulation of cardiovascular risk factors. Aging and menopause are the main causes that lead to an adverse lipid profile in women. The influence of age on prevalence of increased plasma triglyceride levels and on larger variation in fasting triglyceride levels has been reported in both genders. However, the increased prevalence of increased cholesterol with age was only found in women. The high-density lipid cholesterol level is higher in women than in men throughout all ages. Obesity may also exaggerate the unfavorable lipid profile in aging and/or menopausal women. In the last decades the management of the menopausal women has been a subject of concern for medical scientific groups. In this review, the current understanding of an influence of age and menopause on lipids and lipoproteins concentration in women will be analyzed.

Phytoestrogens and Lipoproteins in Women

We undertook a study to evaluate relationships among blood phytoestrogen levels, lipoprotein levels, estrogen levels, and angiographically defined coronary artery disease in women. Evidence for a beneficial role and the potential mechanism(s) of plant estrogens (phytoestrogens) on blood lipoproteins in humans is controversial. We evaluated 483 women enrolled in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-sponsored Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation with coronary risk factors undergoing coronary angiography for evaluation for suspected ischemia for blood phytoestrogen levels (daidzein and genistein), lipoprotein levels [total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C)], estrogen levels (estradiol, bioavailable estradiol, estrone), and angiographic coronary artery disease using core laboratories. Higher blood levels of the phytoestrogen daidzein were associated with lower triglycerides (P = 0.01), higher HDL-C (P = 0.05) levels, and a beneficial total cholesterol to HDL-C ratio (P = 0.02). This beneficial association was evident among the subgroup of women with low [<184 pmol/liter (<50 pg/ml)] blood estradiol levels, regardless of age and lipoprotein levels. The phytoestrogen associations with lipoproteins were incrementally related to the magnitude of daidzein level and independent of other lipoprotein modulators. There were no detectable relationships between the phytoestrogen levels and angiographic coronary artery disease. Higher blood phytoestrogen daidzein levels are associated with beneficial lipoprotein levels in women with low estrogen levels, possibly by an estrogen receptor mechanism. These results suggest a potential explanation for the variable lipoprotein results observed in prior randomized controlled trials and call for investigation regarding subgroups of subjects who may preferentially benefit from dietary intake of food products, such as soy.