Menopausal Women Research Articles

Effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy on 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and bone mineral density in post menopausal women

Background Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard management for benign gallbladder diseases. It has been observed that there is alteration in vitamin D levels and bone mineral density after cholecystectomy due to altered enterohepatic circulation. With increase in average age expectancy of the population, low levels of vitamin D levels and osteoporosis after cholecystectomies might cause increased health care burden. Methods A prospective observational study was planned between 1 January 2022 and 30 June 2023 in the Department of General Surgery at PGIMER Chandigarh, a tertiary care hospital in north India. One hundred and three post-menopausal women who underwent LC and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. All participants underwent estimation of vitamin D and bone mineral density preoperatively and third-post operative month (POM). Results The mean age of the patients was 58.46 ± 7.44. Pain abdomen was present in 68(66%) patients, 18 had epigastric discomfort and 17 had dyspepsia. The mean levels of vitamin D decreased from 21.92 at the baseline to 20.12 at third POM (p < .001). There was a significant change in t score Femoral Neck (−1.12 vs −1.15, p < .001) and Lumbar spine L1–L4 − 1.98 vs −1.98 (p = .033). z-scores of the femoral neck were −0.34 vs −0.54 (p < .001) and of lumbar spine L1–L4 were −0.95 vs 1.02 (p < .001). The decrease in fracture risk for the femoral neck (p = .344) and the lumbar spine (p = .223) was not statistically significant. Conclusion There is a significant decrease in vitamin D and BMD levels after LC in post-menopausal females.

Possible mechanisms underlying the regulation of postmenopausal osteoporosis by follicle-stimulating hormone

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanisms by which follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) regulates postmenopausal osteoporosis through the FSH/FSH receptor (FSHr)/G protein/C/EBPβ/heat shock protein 90 alpha (HSP90α) signalling pathways. MethodsWe measured serum FSH, luteinising hormone (LH), and HSP90α levels in the serum and adipose tissue of women of childbearing age and menopausal status. In the in vivo studies, 12 B57CL female mice were divided equally into Sham, OVX, and OVX + FSHr Blocker groups. Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, FSH, and HSP90α, along with StRACP vitality, were determined, and femur micro-computed tomography was performed. Additionally, FSH, FSHr, G protein, C/EBPβ, and HSP90α levels were assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Finally, we divided the human multiple myeloma cell line U266 into three groups. The activity of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in the supernatant at different stages was detected, and myeloma cells were stained with TRAP. ResultsHSP90α levels in adipose tissue supernatant and serum were lower in women of childbearing age than in menopausal women (P < 0.05). Serum FSH and HSP90α levels demonstrated a strong correlation. Treatment with FSHr blockers resulted in decreased FSH, FSHr, G protein, C/EBPβ, and HSP90α levels in mice. TRAP staining of osteoclast-like cells exhibited a significantly higher intensity in the M-CSF + RANKL + recombinant HSP90α group than in the M-CSF + RANKL and blank control groups (P < 0.05). ConclusionsOur results indicate that FSH promotes HSP90α secretion by adipocytes via the FSHr/G protein/C/EBPβ pathway. This mechanism affects osteoclast activity and exacerbates osteoporosis.

Flaxseed: A Rich Source of Bioactive Compounds with Potential Health Benefits

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a nutritional powerhouse rich in alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3 fatty acid), lignans (especially secoisolariciresinol diglucoside), and dietary fiber. These bioactive components possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-modulating properties, suggesting potential health benefits for humans and animals. This review explores the effects of flaxseed consumption or its isolated bioactive ingredients on various health conditions. We delve into existing research on the potential impact of flaxseed on cardiovascular health, cancer, gut health, brain function, and hormonal balance in menopausal women. The review highlights the unique composition of flaxseed, including its high content of alpha-linolenic acid (over 70% of total oil), protein (20–30%), and dietary fibre (28%). Flaxseed also has the highest lignan concentration among plant sources. This distinct chemical profile positions flaxseed as a promising candidate for exploring its preventive and functional properties. The review emphasises the well-established safety of flaxseed under proper storage and processing conditions.

HPV and coronary diseases in menopausal women: an integrative review.

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with cervical cancer while low-risk HPV strains mostly cause benign lesions. Multiple studies have also associated HPV with coronary artery (CAD) disease in women. Furthermore, the climacteric period in women, triggers chronic inflammation and has major implications for CAD and associated lipid disorders. The association of HPV with coronary artery disease in climacteric women has few studies, and the objective of this review is to gather and analyse scientific data on the subject. This is an integrative review performed on PubMed and Google Scholar using the keywords "HPV", "coronary heart disease" and "climacteric", among these keywords the boolean operator AND and the publication date filter. (2018 onwards). Five articles were found, whose main results show presence of high-risk vaginal HPV in climacteric women. Climacterium and HPV were associated with a three-fold increased risk of CAD, as well as with factors related to menopause that promote atheroma formation, lipid disorders and chronic inflammation. Thus, these results support the association between HPV infection and CAD in climacteric women, possibly via chronic inflammation, hormonal factors related to menopause and dyslipidemia.

Behavioral Therapy in Post Menopause Patients with Urine Incontinence Problems – Systematic Review

A journal search was carried out used the keywords "Postmenopausal women AND Cognitive Behavioral therapy AND urinary incontinence AND meta analysis" to collect relevant articles published in the last 10 years from five databases (ProQuest, PubMed, Science Direct, Ebsco and Google Scholar. Criteria inclusions were: nurses, patients, urinary incontinence, intervention, full text articles, studies that focused on nursing assessment, and written in English. Six journal articles were selected and analyzed using PICO. Results, Non-pharmacological therapy with a behavioral therapy approach with the application of MBSR (Mindfulness based stress reduction) and HEP (Health Enhancement program) as well as Yoga Therapy &amp; PFMT (Pelvic Floor Muscle Training) exercises combined with light physical exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming. for 30 minutes as well as diet modifications can help postmenopausal patients with urinary incontinence. Conclusion: The application of MBSR (Mindfulness based stress reduction) and HEP (Health Enhancement program) as well as Yoga Therapy &amp; PFMT (Pelvic Floor Muscle Training) exercises combined with light physical exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming for 30 minutes and diet modification can reduces the number of episodes of urine leakage and improves all types of urinary incontinence problems as well as quality of life and can be beneficial for sexual function in post menopausal women.

Metabolic flexibility and resting autonomic function in active menopausal women.

The present study aims to analyze the relationship between cardiac autonomic control at rest-i.e., baseline Heart Rate Variability (HRV)-and metabolic flexibility assessed by means of the FATox and CHOox oxidation rates at the intensities of maximum fat and carbohydrate oxidation (MFO and MCO, respectively). Twenty-four active over-60 women (66.8 ± 4.4years) had their HRV assessed with 10min recordings under resting conditions, and this was analyzed with Kubios Scientific software. After this, an incremental submaximal cycling test, starting at 30watts, with increments of 10watts every 3min 15s was performed. FATox and CHOox were calculated in the last 60s at each step, using Frayn's equation. MFO and MCO were further obtained. Nonlinear SampEn and 1-DFAα1 (Detrending Fluctuation Analysis score) at rest were both moderate and significantly (p < 0.05) related to FATox (r = 0.43, r = -0.40) and CHOox (r = -0.59, r = 0.41), as well as RER (r = -0.43, r = 0.43) at FATmax intensity. At the MCO intensity, no association was observed between HRV and oxidation rates. However, DFAα1 (r = -0.63, p < 0.05), the frequency ratio LF/HF (r = -0.63, p < 0.05), and the Poincaré ratio SD1/SD2 (r = 0.48, p < 0.05) were correlated with blood lactate concentration. These results support the autonomic resources hypothesis, suggesting that better autonomic function at rest is related to enhanced metabolic flexibility in postmenopausal women. They also underpin a comprehensive analysis of cardiovascular-autonomic health with aging. The results imply that non-linear DFAα1 and SampEn are appropriate to analyze this association in health of the aging cardiovascular-autonomic system.

Oral Health Care Among Women in Perimenopause or Menopause: An Integrative Review.

Women in menopause are at a higher risk of developing oral health problems, affecting their overall quality of life. Several studies have identified the role of health care providers in addressing women's oral health needs across various phases of their lives, yet a review in the area of perimenopause and menopause has not been undertaken. Therefore, the aim of this review was to explore current evidence regarding the oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of women in perimenopause or menopause and their health care providers. Additionally, guidelines and recommendations to inform strategies for oral health promotion are included. A systematic search was carried out across 5 databases. Inclusion criteria included articles published in English that examined at least one study outcome: oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of either women in perimenopause or menopause or of health care providers or guidelines around oral health care. Qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, and experimental studies with survey components were included with no restrictions on publication period, quality, or setting. A total of 12 articles met the inclusion criteria, with a majority being of poor quality and mostly from low-income and middle-income countries. Overall findings indicated that there was a lack of knowledge and limited practices in maintaining oral hygiene and visiting the dentist among women in perimenopause or menopause. Health care providers exhibited poor attitudes in advising the importance of periodic dental check-ups and informing oral health changes during this period. There were also insufficient guidelines to adopt care for women and guide health care providers in their practice. Women in perimenopause or menopause have limited oral health knowledge and unmet oral health needs. Appropriate guidelines and supportive strategies are required to assist health care providers in providing comprehensive care and encouragement to women in perimenopause or menopause to improve their oral health.

Precision Nutrition for Management of Cardiovascular Disease Risk during Menopause.

Women can spend up to 40% of their lives in the postmenopausal state. As women begin to transition into menopause, known as perimenopause, changes in hormonal concentrations and body composition dramatically increase overall cardiometabolic risk. Dietary patterns and interventions can be utilized to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease (CVD) and some dietary patterns over others may be more beneficial due to their specific effects on the health aspects of menopause. In this narrative review, we summarize key cardiovascular alterations that occur during the menopause transition and explore current dietary recommendations to address CVD risk as well as explore the new frontier of precision nutrition and the implications for nutrition prescription during menopause. Popular dietary interventions for CVD such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and the Mediterranean diet (MED) have limited data in women following menopause. However, both diets improve CVD risk biomarkers of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as lower oxidative stress and inflammation and improve endothelial function. As the menopause transition increases the risk for developing metabolic syndrome, insulin insensitivity, and dyslipidemia, the DASH diet and MED may be impactful dietary strategies for mediating CVD risk in menopausal women. However, these are "one-size-fits-all" approaches that neglect individual characteristics such as genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Precision nutrition considers individual factors for nutrition prescription, spanning from evaluating food intake preferences and behaviors to deep phenotyping. Data from a large-scale investigation of the menopause transition suggests nutritional strategies that address postprandial glycemic responses, and the gut microbiome may attenuate some of the unfavorable effects of menopause on CVD risk factors. Considering menopause, women are a clinical population that would greatly benefit from precision nutrition. Future research should explore the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence in a precision nutrition framework to modify the DASH diet and MED to address adverse effects that occur during the menopause transition are vital for supporting women's health as they age.

Association between Menopausal Women's Quality of Life and Aging Anxiety: The Role of Life Satisfaction and Depression.

Background and Objectives: This study investigated the links among quality of life, life satisfaction, depression, and aging anxiety in menopausal middle-aged women. The objective was to establish an understanding of how these factors are associated, which would be the foundation for developing programs aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of menopausal women. Materials and Methods: An online survey was administered to 993 middle-aged women, aged 45 to 65, residing in Seoul, Korea. The survey evaluated menopausal quality of life, life satisfaction, depression, and aging anxiety. Additionally, a Process Macro Model 4 was used to assess the links between life satisfaction, depression, menopausal quality of life, and aging anxiety. Results: Aging anxiety in middle-aged women was associated with a lower score on the menopausal quality of life scale (r = 0.37, p < 0.001), lower life satisfaction (r = -0.46, p < 0.001), and higher depression (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). In addition, there was an indirect effect-mediated by depression (95% CI = 0.025, 0.058) and life satisfaction (95% CI = 0.038, 0.064)-between menopausal quality of life and aging anxiety. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated a direct effect of low menopausal quality of life on aging anxiety and a mediating effect of low depression and higher life satisfaction on aging anxiety. These results suggest the need for programs to increase menopausal quality of life, decrease depression and improve life satisfaction to reduce aging anxiety.

S-Equol Ameliorates Menopausal Osteoarthritis in Rats through Reducing Oxidative Stress and Cartilage Degradation.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease leading to articular cartilage destruction. Menopausal and postmenopausal women are susceptible to both OA and osteoporosis. S-equol, a soy isoflavone-derived molecule, is known to reduce osteoporosis in estrogen-deficient mice, but its role in OA remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the effect of S-equol on different degrees of menopausal OA in female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats induced by estrogen deficiency caused by bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) combined with intra-articular injection of mono-iodoacetate (MIA). Knee joint histopathological change; serum biomarkers of bone turnover, including N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I) and N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX-I); the cartilage degradation biomarkers hyaluronic acid (HA) and N-terminal propeptide of type II procollagen (PIINP); and the matrix-degrading enzymes matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-1, MMP-3 and MMP-13, as well as the oxidative stress-inducing molecules nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), were assessed for evaluation of OA progression after S-equol supplementation for 8 weeks. The results showed that OVX without or with MIA injection induced various severity levels of menopausal OA by increasing pathological damage, oxidative stress, and cartilage matrix degradation to various degrees. Moreover, S-equol supplementation could significantly reduce these increased biomarkers in different severity levels of OA. This indicates that S-equol can lessen menopausal OA progression by reducing oxidative stress and the matrix-degrading enzymes involved in cartilage degradation.

Investigating the Effects and Mechanisms of Combined Vitamin D and K Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women: An Up-to-Date Comprehensive Review of Clinical Studies.

Aging is a complex process and a significant risk factor for chronic diseases. Menopause, a component of aging in women, is associated with several important cardiometabolic conditions including metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular diseases. Menopausal women could benefit from preventative strategies that may decrease morbidity and mortality and improve their quality of life. Vitamins D and K are essential nutrients required for bone health, immune function, and reducing cardiovascular risks, yet their synergistic effect is less understood in aging women. This is the first comprehensive review to summarize the evidence found in randomized clinical trials of the beneficial effects of vitamin D and K co-treatment in postmenopausal women. In our literature search across key electronic databases such as Cochrane, PubMed, and Ovid, we identified 31 pertinent studies. Overall, significant findings indicate that the combined intake of vitamins D and K may positively affect cardiovascular and bone health in postmenopausal women, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fermented dairy products. Given the challenges in obtaining all necessary nutrients solely through the diet, vitamin D and K supplements are recommended for postmenopausal women to promote healthy aging and well-being.

Risk factors for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws in menopausal women

Aim: This study aimed to identify risk factors for medicationrelated osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) by carrying out clinical and radiographic evaluations of patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis using bisphosphonates (BFs). Methods: After approval by the CCS/UFES Ethics Committee (registration number 2,738,749), consultations were undertaken, and data were collected from medical records in cooperation with sectors from UFES and the University hospital. A total of 50 patients, 29 with osteoporosis and 21 with osteopenia were selected. Patients underwent a clinical and a panoramic dental x-ray examination to assess risk factors associated with oral health and dental interventions. Results: All patients had at least one local risk factor, the most frequent being tooth extraction (100%) and periodontal disease (50%) which, if associated with the use of BFs, could lead to MRONJ. Among the systemic risk factors, the most common were diabetes and corticosteroid therapy. The most used BF was alendronate, administered orally. Conclusion: The dental surgeon should evaluate all patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis using BFs to determine whether there are other risks. Whether there may be other potential risks, acknowledging upon key risks factors surrounding MRONJ are critical for early diagnosis and successful dental treatment.

Adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet and severity of menopausal symptoms in perimenopausal and menopausal women from Australia: a cross-sectional analysis

PurposeTo explore the independent associations between adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet and severity of menopausal symptoms in perimenopausal and menopausal women living in Australia.MethodsDietary adherence was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was used to assess the severity of menopausal symptoms, and the 36-item short form survey instrument (SF-36) was used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL).ResultsA total of n = 207 participants (50.7 ± 4.3 years; BMI: 28.0 ± 7.4 kg/m2) were included in the final analyses. Participants reported low-moderate adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet (5.2 ± 1.8; range: 1–11). Adherence was not associated with severity of menopausal symptoms. However, low consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages was inversely associated with joint and muscle complaints, independent of all covariates (β = -0.149; CI: -0.118, -0.022; P = 0.042). Adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet was positively associated with the physical function subscale of HRQoL (β = 0.173, CI: 0.001, 0.029; P = 0.031) and a low intake of red and processed meat was positively associated with the general health subscale (β = 0.296, CI: 0.005, 0.014; P = < 0.001).ConclusionDiet quality may be related to severity of menopausal symptoms and HRQoL in perimenopausal and menopausal women. However, exploration of these findings using longitudinal analyses and robust clinical trials are needed to better elucidate these findings.

The effect of oral capsules containing Ocimum basilicum leaf extract on menopausal symptoms in women: a triple-blind randomized clinical trial

BackgroundMenopause, characterized by various physical and mental changes, is primarily caused by hormonal fluctuations, resulting in numerous complications. Recently, herbal treatments have gained significant attention for their minimal side effects compared to chemical drugs. This study aimed to investigate the effects of oral capsules containing Ocimum basilicum leaf extract (OBLE) on menopausal symptoms.MethodsThis placebo-controlled clinical trial study was conducted in 2020. The research focused on 60 menopausal women referred to Mashhad health centers. Eligible participants were administered either an OBLE 500 mg capsule or a placebo daily for 1 month. Menopause symptoms were evaluated using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) before, two weeks, and one month after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS21, independent t, Mann–Whitney, and Friedman tests. A significance level of p < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsThe independent t-test indicated that the mean (SD) scores of menopausal symptoms in both the OBLE and placebo groups were initially similar before the intervention (P = 0.141). Two weeks after the intervention, the menopausal symptom scores were 9.5 ± 3.5 and 11.2 ± 5.6 in the OBLE and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.163, df = 58, t = 1.4). After one month, the menopausal symptom scores were 6.9 ± 0.3 in the OBLE group and 11.26 ± 0.6 in the placebo group (P = 0.001, df = 58, t = 3.4). This indicates a significant difference between the two groups one month after the intervention, compared to before and two weeks after the intervention. Additionally, there was a significant difference in the scores of the physical and somato-vegetative dimension between the intervention and placebo groups two weeks and one month after the intervention (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe study results suggested that taking OBLE capsules led to a decrease in the scores of menopausal symptoms. This indicates that OBLE can be considered as a safe and cost-effective medicinal plant for alleviating menopausal symptoms among women.

The intersection between menopause and depression: overview of research using animal models.

Menopausal women may experience symptoms of depression, sometimes even progressing clinical depression requiring treatment to improve quality of life. While varying levels of estrogen in perimenopause may contribute to an increased biological vulnerability to mood disturbances, the effectiveness of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in the relief of depressive symptoms remains controversial. Menopausal depression has a complex, multifactorial etiology, that has limited the identification of optimal treatment strategies for the management of this psychiatric complaint. Nevertheless, clinical evidence increasingly supports the notion that estrogen exerts neuroprotective effects on brain structures related to mood regulation. Indeed, research using preclinical animal models continues to improve our understanding of menopause and the effectiveness of ERT and other substances at treating depression-like behaviors. However, questions regarding the efficacy of ERT in perimenopause have been raised. These questions may be answered by further investigation using specific animal models of reduced ovarian function. This review compares and discusses the advantages and pitfalls of different models emulating the menopausal stages and their relationship with the onset of depressive-like signs, as well as the efficacy and mechanisms of conventional and novel ERTs in treating depressive-like behavior. Ovariectomized young rats, middle-to-old aged intact rats, and females treated with reprotoxics have all been used as models of menopause, with stages ranging from surgical menopause to perimenopause. Additionally, this manuscript discusses the impact of organistic and therapeutic variables that may improve or reduce the antidepressant response of females to ERT. Findings from these models have revealed the complexity of the dynamic changes occurring in brain function during menopausal transition, reinforcing the idea that the best approach is timely intervention considering the opportunity window, in addition to the careful selection of treatment according to the presence or absence of reproductive tissue. Additionally, data from animal models has yielded evidence to support new promising estrogens that could be considered as ERTs with antidepressant properties and actions in endocrine situations in which traditional ERTs are not effective.

SKRINING PERUBAHAN FISIK, PERILAKU SEKSUAL, DAN PSIKOLOGIS PADA WANITA YANG MENGALAMI MENOPAUSE

Background Changes in women experiencing menopause often become a problem in their health. This aims of this research is to identify a picture of the changes that occur in women who have experienced menopause. The research design is descriptive. The research population was women aged 45-59 years who had experienced menopause in Cemani village, Surakarta with no nee a total of 50 subjects. Sampling uses cluster sampling. The variable is the changes that occur at menopause. The instrument uses structured interviews and is analyzed using descriptive analysis. The results of the study described severe physical changes (57.8%), moderate changes in sexual behavior (68.9%), and moderate psychological changes (55.6%). It was concluded that menopausal women will experience physical, sexual behavior and psychological changes with severe and moderate modifications. Keywords: Degeneratif; Wowen; Menoupouse; Skrining

Women's perceptions and experiences with cannabis use in menopause: a qualitative study.

Since the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2018, the use of cannabis for medical reasons has increased in Canada. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of midlife women using cannabis for medical purposes coinciding with menopause symptom management. Semistructured, one-on-one interviews were conducted using a qualitative description method. This was the second phase of a mixed methods study, where interviewees were purposefully selected from a sample of women (ages 35 and over, located in Alberta) surveyed during the first phase of the study. Interviews were by phone or virtual meeting, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative content analysis was applied to analyze the data collected. Twelve interviews were conducted between December 2020 and April 2021. Menopause was perceived as a complex experience for women. Cannabis was described as a therapeutic agent, providing symptom relief through the menopause transition. Women reported similarities in their menopause and cannabis use experiences in the lack of information available, limited role of healthcare providers, feelings of stigmatization, and emphasis on self-education. Women self-managed their cannabis use, learning from their own experiences or the anecdotal sharing of others', accessed cannabis from a variety of medical and nonmedical sources, and relied on experimentation, and a range of supports were described. Midlife women pursued the use of cannabis medically to manage symptoms that overlap with menopause. Understanding how and why midlife women use cannabis medically can provide insight for future research and the development of educational resources to support women in menopause.

Updates in the Care of Women in Menopause.

Updates in the Care of Women in Menopause.

Effect of Crushed Flaxseed Consumption on Cardiovascular Risk Indicators in Menopausal Women.

Flaxseed is known for its numerous health benefits and is often used in the prevention and treatment of civilizational diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of consuming crushed flaxseed on cardiovascular risk in 51 menopausal women. The intervention lasted for 8 weeks, during which participants received a daily dose of 40 g of crushed flaxseed from two varieties with differing lignan contents. Participants were divided into three subgroups based on the variety of flaxseed consumed: (1) high-lignan group (HL), (2) low-lignan group (LL), and (3) control group (no flaxseed consumption). Biochemical blood parameters were measured using a BiOLis 24i Premium automatic analyzer. Body composition was assessed using an InBody 720 device. In the lipid profile, we observed a significant increase in total cholesterol (T-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, along with a significant decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in both the HL and LL groups. Triglyceride (TG) levels exhibited no significant change, whereas high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were significantly reduced in both the HL (p < 0.01) and LL (p < 0.01) groups. Visceral fat area (VFA) and percent body fat (PBF) showed a slight decreasing trend in the HL group, whereas in the LL group, VFA showed a slight increase. Body mass index (BMI) remained stable across all groups. These findings suggest that for the modulation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, the daily dosage, duration of consumption, form of intake, and the specific variety of flaxseed (based on lignan content) are crucial factors.

Bladder-resident bacteria associated with increased risk of recurrence after electrofulguration in women with antibiotic-recalcitrant urinary tract infection.

Antibiotic-recalcitrant recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) is has become increasingly observed in postmenopausal women. Therefore, when standard antibiotic therapies have failed, some elect electrofulguration (EF) of areas of chronic cystitis when detected on office cystoscopy. EF is thought to remove tissue-resident bacteria that have been previously detected in the bladder walls of postmenopausal women with rUTI. We hypothesized that increased bladder bacterial burden may be associated with incomplete rUTI resolution following EF. Following IRB approval, bladder biopsies were obtained from 34 consenting menopausal women electing EF for the advanced management of rUTI. 16S rRNA FISH was performed using both universal and Escherichia probes and tissue-resident bacterial load was quantified. Time to UTI relapse after EF was recorded during a six-month follow-up period and the association of bladder bacterial burden and clinical covariates with UTI relapse was assessed. We observed bladder-resident Escherichia in 52% of all participants and in 92% of participants with recent E. coli UTI. Time-to-relapse analysis revealed that women with high bladder bacterial burden as detected by the universal probe had a significantly ( p =0.035) higher risk of UTI within six months of EF (HR=3.15, 95% CI: 1.09-9.11). Interestingly, bladder-resident Escherichia was not significantly associated ( p =0.26) with a higher risk of UTI relapse (HR= 2.14, 95% CI: 0.58-7.90). We observed that total bladder bacterial burden was associated with a 3.1x increased risk of rUTI relapse within six months. Continued analysis of the relationship between bladder bacterial burden and rUTI outcomes may provide insight into the management of these challenging patients.