Protein In Postmenopausal Women Research Articles

The effect of Nigella sativa on serum levels of insulin-like growth factor and its binding proteins in postmenopausal women with low bone density: A triple-blind randomized controlled trial

Animal studies have shown that Nigella sativa (NS) seed oil can increase Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) serum levels. This study aimed to investigate the effect of oral capsule NS on serum levels of IGF-1 and its binding proteins (IGFBP-1, IGFBP-3) in postmenopausal women with bone loss density. Sixty postmenopausal women of 50 to 65 years with bone loss density randomly received a soft capsule of NS oil 1000 mg or placebo once daily for six months with a 1:1 allocation ratio. DEXA method was used to measure bone density. Serum concentrations of IGF-1, IGFBP-1 and-3, ALT, AST, ALP, Cr, and urea were measured at baseline and after the intervention. There were no significant differences in serum levels of IGF1, IGFBP-1, urea, Cr, ALT, AST, and ALP between the two groups at the end of six months. However, a significant increase has been shown in IGFBP-3 between groups after the intervention (Adjusted mean difference: 95% CI: 1.65: 0.36 to 2.97; p=0.013). We observed a significant increase in IGFBP-3 serum levels without any side effects. Additional research with an increased number of participants may be needed for further clarification of its beneficial anabolic effects on the GH system.

Investigating the efficacy and feasibility of using a whole-of-diet approach to lower circulating levels of C-reactive protein in postmenopausal women: a mixed methods pilot study.

Chronic inflammation is associated with obesity and is an underlying pathophysiology for cardiovascular disease (CVD) development in postmenopausal women. This study aims to determine feasibility and efficacy of an anti-inflammatory dietary intervention to lower levels of C-reactive protein in weight stable postmenopausal women with abdominal obesity. This mixed-methods pilot study used a single arm pre-post design. Thirteen women followed a 4-week anti-inflammatory, dietary intervention, optimizing consumption of healthy fats, low glycemic index wholegrains, and dietary antioxidants. Quantitative outcomes included change in inflammatory and metabolic markers. Focus groups were undertaken and thematically analyzed to explore participants lived experience of following the diet. There was no significant change in plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive, protein. Despite discouraging weight loss, median (Q1-Q3) body weight decreased by -0.7 (-1.3 to 0 kg, P = 0.02). This was accompanied by reductions in plasma insulin (0.90 [-0.05 to 2.20] mmol/L), Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (0.29 [-0.03 to 0.59]), and low-density lipoprotein:high-density lipoprotein ratio (0.18 [-0.01 to 0.40]) ( P ≤ 0.023 for all). Thematic analysis revealed that postmenopausal women have a desire to improve meaningful markers of health status that do not focus on weight. Women were highly engaged with learning about emerging and innovative nutrition topics, favoring a detailed and comprehensive nutrition education style that challenged their proficient health literacy and cooking skills. Weight-neutral dietary interventions targeting inflammation can improve metabolic markers and may be a viable strategy for CVD risk reduction in postmenopausal women. To determine effects on inflammatory status, a fully powered and longer-term randomized controlled trial is required.

Effect of whole-body resistance training at different load intensities on circulating inflammatory biomarkers, body fat, muscular strength, and physical performance in postmenopausal women.

The primary purpose of this study was to identify the impact of whole-body resistance training (RT) at different load intensities on adipokines, adhesion molecules, and extracellular heat shock proteins in postmenopausal women. As secondary purpose, we analyzed the impact of RT at different load intensities on body fat, muscular strength, and physical performance. Forty participants were randomized into lower-load intensity RT (LIRT, n = 20, 30-35 repetition maximum in the first set of each exercise) or higher-load intensity RT (HIRT, n = 20, 8-12 repetition maximum in the first set of each exercise). Adipokines (adiponectin and leptin), adhesion molecules (MCP-1 and ICAM-1), extracellular heat shock proteins (HO-1 and eHSP60), body fat, muscular strength (1RM), and physical performance [400-meter walking test (400-M) and 6-minute walking test (6MWT)] were analyzed at baseline and after 12-weeks RT. There was a significant time-by-group interaction for eHSP60 (P = 0.049) and 400-M (P = 0.003), indicating superiority of HIRT (d = 0.47 and 0.55). However, both groups similarly improved adiponectin, ICAM-1, HO-1, body fat, 1RM, and 6MWT (P < 0.05). Our study suggests that load intensity does not seem to determine the RT effect on several obesity-related pro-inflammatory and chemotactic compounds, body fat, 1RM, and 6MWT in postmenopausal women, although a greater improvement has been revealed for eHSP60 and 400-M in HIRT. Novelty: Higher-load intensity resistance training improves eHSP60 and 400-M in postmenopausal women. Resistance training improves the inflammatory profile, body fat, muscle strength, and 6MWT, regardless of load intensity.

Relationships between depression and anxiety symptoms and adipocyte-derived proteins in postmenopausal women.

IntroductionStudies on the association between adiponectin and leptin and anxiety and depression among postmenopausal women are limited. Therefore, the present study specifically evaluates the mutual relationships between adiponectin and leptin and anxiety and depression in postmenopausal women.Participants and designIn this cross-sectional study, a total of 190 women aged 40–65 years were enrolled. Depression symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). Fasting specimens were collected to measure sex hormone, glucose, insulin, and adipokine levels. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the associations between depression and anxiety and adipocyte-derived hormones.SettingsThe study was performed in a hospital medical center.ResultsAmong 190 enrolled postmenopausal women, Spearman’s rank correlation analysis revealed significant correlations between CES-D and HAM-A (r = 0.715, P < 0.0001), between CES-D and adiponectin (p = 0.009) and leptin (p = 0.015), and between HAM-A and adiponectin (p = 0.01) and leptin (p = 0.001). The subjects with CES-D ≥ 16 and with HAM-A ≥ 18 had higher adiponectin levels than those with CES-D < 16 and HAM-A < 18, respectively. After adjusting for age, body mass index, exercise, alanine amino transferase and parameters of lipid profiles, Log adiponectin levels were found to be significantly associated with both CES-D and HAM-A, and Log leptin levels were only significantly associated with HAM-A.ConclusionsThe data show that adiponectin and leptin levels are significantly associated with depression and anxiety symptoms. These results suggest that higher adiponectin and lower leptin levels may serve as potential markers related to anxiety and mood in postmenopausal women. More future research that is designed to deal with the important confounders (e.g., population heterogeneity) is needed to investigate comprehensively on these associations.

The Factors Associated with High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Postmenopausal Women: Based on Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016–2017

The Factors Associated with High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Postmenopausal Women: Based on Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016–2017

Discovery and Identification of Serum Succinyl-Proteome for Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis and Osteopenia.

ObjectiveFor the purpose of providing evidence for the treatment of osteoporosis and osteopenia, this study retrospectively identified succinylation‐modified sites and proteins in postmenopausal women, and bioinformatics analysis were performed.MethodsFrom January 2016 to June 2018, a total of 30 postmenopausal women aged from 55 to 70 years old were assigned to three groups: 10 cases with osteoporosis; 10 cases with osteopenia; and 10 cases with normal bone mass. Subsequently, the serum samples were collected from all cases for succinyl‐proteome. Measures comprised label‐free quantitative analysis, succinylation enrichment techniques, the liquid chromatograph–mass spectrometer/mass spectrometer (LC‐MS/MS) methods, and bioinformatics.ResultsA total of 113 succinylation sites on 35 proteins were identified based on quantitative information. The variation of the different multiple folds were more than 1.2 times as a significant increase for up‐regulated and less than 1/1.2 times as a significant decrease for down‐regulated. Among the quantified succinylation sites, 66 were up‐regulated and 11 down‐regulated in the Osteopenia/Normal comparison group, 24 were up‐regulated and 44 down‐regulated in the Osteoporosis/Osteopenia comparison group, 45 were up‐regulated and 32 down‐regulated in the Osteoporosis/Normal comparison group. Among the quantified succinylation proteins, 24 were up‐regulated and 7 down‐regulated in the Osteopenia/Normal comparison group, 15 were up‐regulated and 20 down‐regulated in the Osteoporosis/Osteopenia comparison group, 20 were up‐regulated and 17 down‐regulated in the Osteoporosis/Normal comparison group. The percentage of proteins differed in immune response, signaling pathway, proteolysis, lymphocyte, leukocyte, and cell activation. Four differentially expressed proteins (apolipoprotein A‐I, apolipoprotein A‐II, hemoglobin subunit alpha, and haptoglobin) contained quantitative information; they were mediated with receptors, factors, mechanisms, that related to bone metabolism. Hemoglobin subunit alpha was screened for diagnosis of osteopenia.ConclusionsThe succinyl‐proteome experimental data indicated that apolipoprotein A‐I, apolipoprotein A‐II, hemoglobin subunit alpha, and haptoglobin were valuable for diagnosis and treatment in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and osteopenia.

Serum Liver Proteins and 17

Background: Breast cancer is a hormone-dependent malignancy that is associated with estrogen and progesterone interactions. The liver is the most important organ to be affected by the metastasis of breast cancer, which causes functional impairment.&#x0D; Aim: We compared levels of obesity, 17β-estradiol, and secreted proteins in postmenopausal women with breast cancer but without hepatic symptoms to those in healthy postmenopausal women.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: We recruited 105 postmenopausal women with breast cancer but without any clinical hepatic symptoms based on a physician’s diagnosis, and 105 healthy postmenopausal women. After taking blood samples, we separated the serum and determined the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AST), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and 17β-estradiol using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results were statistically analyzed using SPSS.&#x0D; Results: The mean ages of the subjects in the cancer and control groups were 60.88 ± 0.85 and 55.56 ± 0.81 years, respectively. The exception ages (p=0.002), body mass index (BMI) values (p=0.033), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) levels/AST levels (p=3.1*10−4), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) levels/ALT levels(p=0.001), SHBG levels(p=0.014), and 17β-estradiol levels(p=0.003) in the serum differed significantly between the groups. Moreover, the mean serum 17β-estradiol (E2) levels and weights were higher in the cancer group than in the control group. Nevertheless, the mean serum levels of synthetic liver enzymes (SHBG, ALT, and AST) were lower in the cancer group than in the control group.&#x0D; Conclusion: In general, the postmenopausal cancer patients had higher serum estrogen levels and BMIs than their healthy counterparts. Furthermore, the levels of liver enzymes apparently decreased in the cancer group, probably owing to liver malfunction.

Hormone therapy and urine protein excretion: a multiracial cohort study, systematic review, and meta-analysis.

Experimental models suggest estrogen has a renoprotective effect, but human studies show variable results. Our objective was to study the association of hormone therapy (HT) and albuminuria in postmenopausal women and to synthesize the results with outcomes from prior studies. We analyzed data from postmenopausal women who participated in the second study visit (2000-2004) of the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy (GENOA) study. The exposure was self-reported HT use and the outcome was albuminuria (urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio >25 mg/g creatinine). We also conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the association of HT and urine protein in postmenopausal women. Continuous and dichotomous measures of protein excretion were converted to a standardized mean difference (SMD) for each study. In the GENOA cohort (n = 2,217), there were fewer women with albuminuria among HT users than nonusers (9% vs 19%, P < 0.001). HT use was associated with decreased odds of albuminuria (odds ratio 0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.45-0.95), after adjusting for significant differences in age, race, education, comorbidities, and the age at and cause of menopause. The SMD of the effect of HT on urine proteinuria/albuminuria in the randomized control trials (n = 3) was 0.02 (95% CI, -0.29 to 0.33) and -0.13 (95% CI, -0.31 to 0.05) in the observational studies (n = 9). There was significantly less albuminuria among HT users (SMD -0.15, 95% CI, -0.27 to -0.04) in the 9 studies that only reported albuminuria as an outcome and in the 10 studies with a comparator arm (SMD -0.15, 95% CI, -0.26 to -0.04). HT is associated with decreased odds of albuminuria, but some of the observed benefits may be related to reported outcomes, the presence of a comparator arm, and the type of study design.

Oxidative Stress in the Visceral Fat Is Elevated in Postmenopausal Women with Gynecologic Cancer.

This study aimed to evaluate differences in oxidative stress of visceral fat between premenopausal and postmenopausal women and clarify the antioxidant effect of estrogen on adipocytes. Abdominal subcutaneous and omental visceral adipose tissues were obtained from 38 patients who underwent gynecological surgery. We measured the sizes of the adipocytes and evaluated the lipid peroxidation levels in the adipose tissues. We investigated whether estrogen inhibited the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production that was induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The visceral adipocytes were 1162.4 μm2 and 1881.9 μm2 in premenopausal and postmenopausal women, respectively; hence they were significantly larger in the latter (p < 0.05). The lipid peroxidation levels were 46.7 nmoL/mg protein in premenopausal women and 99.6 nmoL/mg protein in postmenopausal women; hence the lipid peroxidation levels were significantly higher in the latter (p < 0.05). Estradiol (E2) significantly reduced the intracellular ROS levels that were induced by H2O2 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes (p < 0.01). We determined that E2 significantly increased the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2)-dependent antioxidant genes, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and the glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL) modifier subunit genes, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes (p < 0.01). Oxidative stress in the visceral fat is higher in postmenopausal women. The expression of the antioxidant genes HO-1, NQO1, and GCL was upregulated by estrogen in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Hence, estrogen may act as an antioxidant in the adipose tissues of premenopausal women.

Association of serum uric acid with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in postmenopausal women

Objectives: To explore the independent correlation between serum uric acid and low-grade inflammation (measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, hs-CRP) in postmenopausal women.Methods: A total of 378 healthy Iranian postmenopausal women were randomly selected in a population-based study. Circulating hs-CRP levels were measured by highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method and an enzymatic calorimetric method was used to measure serum levels of uric acid. Pearson correlation coefficient, multiple linear regression and logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between uric acid and hs-CRP levels.Results: A statistically significant correlation was seen between serum levels of uric acid and log-transformed circulating hs-CRP (r = 0.25, p < 0.001). After adjustment for age and cardiovascular risk factors (according to NCEP ATP III criteria), circulating hs-CRP levels were significantly associated with serum uric acid levels (β = 0.20, p < 0.001). After adjustment for age and cardiovascular risk factors, hs-CRP levels ≥3 mg/l were significantly associated with higher uric acid levels (odds ratio =1.52, 95% confidence interval 1.18–1.96).Conclusion: Higher serum uric acid levels were positively and independently associated with circulating hs-CRP in healthy postmenopausal women.

Relationship of Trait Anger and Anger Expression to C-Reactive Protein in Postmenopausal Women

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death for women worldwide. Chronic inflammation and risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, and high cholesterol, are well-established risk factors for CHD. Little is known, however, about the mechanisms by which psychosocial factors, such as general anger proneness (trait anger) and anger expression style, may be associated with proinflammatory processes that contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in women. Our purpose in conducting this study was to examine the relationship of trait anger and anger expression to the proinflammatory biomarker C-reactive protein (CRP). A cross-sectional between-groups design was used to determine differences in serum levels of CRP in 42 American postmenopausal women, ages 45 to 65, who scored high on the selected anger characteristics, compared with women with lower scores. We did not find differences between high anger women and low anger women in mean levels of CRP, but we did find significant inverse relationships between CRP and some anger control characteristics. Specific health-promoting anger coping behaviors could minimize the deleterious effects of inflammatory responses in postmenopausal women.

2D DIGE identifies differentially expressed proteins in postmenopausal women with osteopenia and osteoporosis

2D DIGE identifies differentially expressed proteins in postmenopausal women with osteopenia and osteoporosis

Effect of soy isoflavones on circulating C-reactive protein in postmenopausal women

Strong evidence suggests that C-reactive protein (CRP) is a novel risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We aimed to examine the effect of soy isoflavones on circulating CRP concentrations in postmenopausal women by conducting a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. We performed a literature search using PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases in December 2010 for randomized controlled trials conducted in postmenopausal women, using soy foods with isoflavones or isoflavone extracts as treatment, and with a report of CRP change. A meta-analysis was performed using a fixed-effects model or a random-effects model to calculate the combined effect size. In addition, subgroup and metaregression analyses were carried out to examine the influences of study designs and participant characteristics on the effect estimates. A pooled analysis of 14 trials showed a slight, but not significant, reduction of 0.17 mg/L (95% CI, -0.38 to 0.04; P = 0.12) in CRP concentrations among postmenopausal women with soy isoflavone intervention compared with controls. No substantial heterogeneity was observed. Subgroup analyses showed that soy isoflavones significantly lowered CRP by 0.70 mg/L (95% CI, -1.17 to -0.23; P = 0.003) among women with baseline CRP concentrations greater than 2.2 mg/L. No significant changes in CRP were observed in the other subgroups. Metaregression analysis further revealed that baseline CRP was a potential effect modifier of isoflavone treatment in lowering CRP. The present meta-analysis found insufficient evidence that soy isoflavones significantly reduce CRP concentrations in postmenopausal women. However, soy isoflavones may produce a significant reduction in CRP among postmenopausal women with elevated CRP.

Effect of exercise training combined with phytoestrogens on adipokines and C-reactive protein in postmenopausal women: a randomized trial

Phytoestrogens and training could be effective to reduce cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes mellitus risk factors in postmenopausal women. Nevertheless, the impact of their combination on adipokines and systemic inflammation was never investigated. The objective was to verify if 6 months of mixed training combined with phytoestrogens could have an additional effect on adipokine levels and systemic inflammation in obese postmenopausal women. Fifty-two obese women aged between 50 and 70 years were randomly assigned to (1) exercise with placebo (EX + PL; n = 25) or (2) exercise with phytoestrogens (EX + PHY; n = 27). Body weight, waist circumference, fat mass, and lean body mass (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) were assessed. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin, adiponectin, leptin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were obtained after a 12-hour overnight fast. Total energy intake was measured with a 3-day dietary record. All measurements were performed before and after the 6-month intervention. Although energy intake remained unchanged, body composition was improved in all women (all Ps < .02). Plasma CRP and leptin levels decreased in both groups similarly (all Ps < .03), whereas plasma adiponectin and insulin did not change with exercise combined with placebo or phytoestrogens. Correlation analyses showed that homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance ( r = −0.58, P = .02) and fasting insulin levels ( r = −0.42, P = .02) at baseline were both correlated with changes in leptin levels. Baseline fasting glucose ( r = −0.36, P = .03) and adiponectin ( r = 0.45, P = .005) levels were associated with changes in CRP concentrations. Although mixed exercise program combined with phytoestrogens does not seem to provide any additional effect, mixed training improves systemic inflammation and leptin concentrations in obese postmenopausal women.

2D DIGE as a strategy for identifying differentially expressed proteins in postmenopausal women with osteopenia and osteoporosis

2D DIGE as a strategy for identifying differentially expressed proteins in postmenopausal women with osteopenia and osteoporosis

The Effect of Aerobic Training on C-Reactive Protein in Postmenopausal Women

C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation, has been reported to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease in both women and men. Though a number of epidemiology studies suggest that individuals who exercise regularly have lower CRP than sedentary individuals, there is a paucity of intervention studies that have examined the role of exercise in reducing CRP. PURPOSE: To examine changes in CRP across different doses of aerobic exercise in sedentary post-menopausal women. METHODS: Of the 464 randomized overweight/obese sedentary postmenopausal women (DREW study), 421 participants (91%) completed the study and had available plasma for baseline and follow-up CRP measurement. This sub-set of participants were randomly assigned to a non-exercise control group (n = 96), or 1 of 3 exercise groups; energy expenditure of 4 kcal/kg/min (n = 143), 8 kcal/kg/min (n = 87) or 12 kcal/kg/ min (n = 95). The intervention period was six months in duration. RESULTS: The mean participant age was 57 ± 6 years, 45% of the participants were using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and 64% of the participants were Caucasian. As a group CRP was elevated as demonstrated by the mean group baseline CRP of 5.6 ± 5.5 mg/dL, median CRP of 4.0 mg/dL (IQR: 1.8, 7.6) and 72% of the participants with a CRP > 2.0 mg/dL. Baseline mean CRP values were similar across randomization groups at 6.0 ± 5.8, 5.3 ± 5.3, 6.5 ± 6.1 and 5.0 ± 4.8 mg/dL for control group, 4, 8& 12 Kcal/ kg/min groups, respectively. Using general linear modeling adjusted for age, baseline value, ethnicity and HRT use, there was no difference in follow-up CRP values across groups for either the mean or geometric mean values. Non-parametric analyses showed similar results as there were no group differences at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that 6-months of aerobic exercise training did not reduce CRP in this population of sedentary postmenopausal woman. It needs to be noted that this study was not specifically designed to examine CRP and exercise. Supported by NIH grants HL66262 and HL071900, and Life Fitness for equipment.

Effects of raloxifene, hormone therapy, and soy isoflavone on serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein in postmenopausal women

Objective: To compare the effects of raloxifene, estradiol valerate plus dienogest, and soy isoflavones (genistein) on serum concentrations of high-sensitive C-reactive protein in healthy postmenopausal women. Methods: The 80 healthy postmenopausal women enrolled in the study were randomly allocated to receive 60 mg of raloxifene, 2 mg of estradiol valerate plus dienogest, 40 mg of genistein, or placebo ( n = 20 in each group). Blood samples were collected at the start of the study and at 3 and 6 months. Lipid profile was also determined. Results: Only the group receiving estradiol valerate plus dienogest showed an increase in serum levels of high-sensitive C-reactive protein compared with baseline values and values in the control and other groups. All 3 treatments resulted in an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and a decrease in total, low-density, and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Conclusions: Estradiol valerate plus dienogest, but not raloxifene and genistein, increase serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein levels. All 3 treatments, however, have an estrogen-like effect on serum lipid profile.

Changes In Fat Mass, Interleukin-6, And C-reactive Protein In Postmenopausal Women

The association between body fat and systemic inflammation is well known. Less is known about the extent to which changes in body fat are accompanied by changes in circulating inflammatory mediators and markers in postmenopausal women. PURPOSE To determine whether one year changes in body fat are associated with one year changes in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in postmenopausal women. METHODS Hormone therapy (HT) users (N=117) and non-users (N=104) were randomly assigned to a resistance training exercise program or to no exercise: HT-exercise (N=65), HT-no exercise (N=52), no HT-exercise (N=54), and no HT-no exercise (N=50). The exercise program included three 60–75 minute sessions per week wherein 8 different exercises were performed in 2 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions at 70–80% of 1RM. For each subject, baseline and 1-year serum IL-6 and CRP were measured using highly-sensitive, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The inter-assay coefficients of variation were at or below 7.2% for IL-6 and at or below 6.2% for CRP. Fat mass was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. ANCOVA was used to determine whether changes in fat mass and serum CRP differed by tertiles of serum IL-6 change while controlling for such potential confounders as age, experimental group assignment (exercise vs. control), and HT use. RESULTS The tertiles of serum IL-6 change were indicative of small reductions in IL-6 in the 1st tertile (−0.572 ± 0.609 pg/ml, N=73), no change in IL-6 in the 2nd tertile (0.063 ± 0.093 pg/ml, N=74), and small increases in IL-6 in the 3rd tertile (+0.942 ± 1.053 pg/ml, N=74). Adjusted mean fat mass changes were significantly different between the first and the third tertiles of IL-6 change (−0.9 ± 0.3 kg vs. +0.4 ± 0.3 kg, p<0.05). Adjusted mean serum CRP changes were also significantly different between the first and third tertiles of IL-6 change (−0.690 ± 0.326 mg/l vs. +0.614 ± 0.323 mg/l, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Small one year changes in serum IL-6 were associated with like changes in fat mass and serum CRP independent of age, exercise status and HT use in postmenopausal women. NIH AR 39559, Mission Pharmacal and National Osteoporosis Foundation

Changes In Fat Mass, Interleukin-6, And C-reactive Protein In Postmenopausal Women

The association between body fat and systemic inflammation is well known. Less is known about the extent to which changes in body fat are accompanied by changes in circulating inflammatory mediators and markers in postmenopausal women. PURPOSE To determine whether one year changes in body fat are associated with one year changes in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in postmenopausal women. METHODS Hormone therapy (HT) users (N=117) and non-users (N=104) were randomly assigned to a resistance training exercise program or to no exercise: HT-exercise (N=65), HT-no exercise (N=52), no HT-exercise (N=54), and no HT-no exercise (N=50). The exercise program included three 60–75 minute sessions per week wherein 8 different exercises were performed in 2 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions at 70–80% of 1RM. For each subject, baseline and 1-year serum IL-6 and CRP were measured using highly-sensitive, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The inter-assay coefficients of variation were at or below 7.2% for IL-6 and at or below 6.2% for CRP. Fat mass was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. ANCOVA was used to determine whether changes in fat mass and serum CRP differed by tertiles of serum IL-6 change while controlling for such potential confounders as age, experimental group assignment (exercise vs. control), and HT use. RESULTS The tertiles of serum IL-6 change were indicative of small reductions in IL-6 in the 1st tertile (−0.572 ± 0.609 pg/ml, N=73), no change in IL-6 in the 2nd tertile (0.063 ± 0.093 pg/ml, N=74), and small increases in IL-6 in the 3rd tertile (+0.942 ± 1.053 pg/ml, N=74). Adjusted mean fat mass changes were significantly different between the first and the third tertiles of IL-6 change (−0.9 ± 0.3 kg vs. +0.4 ± 0.3 kg, p<0.05). Adjusted mean serum CRP changes were also significantly different between the first and third tertiles of IL-6 change (−0.690 ± 0.326 mg/l vs. +0.614 ± 0.323 mg/l, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Small one year changes in serum IL-6 were associated with like changes in fat mass and serum CRP independent of age, exercise status and HT use in postmenopausal women. NIH AR 39559, Mission Pharmacal and National Osteoporosis Foundation

Effects of progestins on estrogen-induced increase in C-reactive protein in postmenopausal women

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) represents an independent risk factor for coronary disease and stroke. Because oral estrogens increase CRP levels, with inflammatory and thrombotic consequences, we determined whether the co-administration of a progestin might modify the estrogenic effect on CRP. Methods: In a non-randomized, non-blinded study, we measured C-reactive protein serum concentrations with high-sensitivity technique (hs-CRP) in 163 healthy postmenopausal women divided into groups as follow: 52 not taking hormones (referent group), and 111 taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (42 of whom treated with unopposed estrogen, and 69 with an estrogen/progestin combination). Results: Compared with non-users of hormones, median CRP levels were 66% (95% confidence interval: from 44 to 89%) higher and 112% (95% confidence interval: from 89 to 168%) higher among women using a combined estrogen/progestin regimen and, respectively, among women taking unopposed estrogen [1.54 mg/L in the referent group; 2.56 mg/L in the estrogen/progestin group ( P=0.032), and 3.27 mg/L in the unopposed estrogen group ( P=0.004)]. Furthermore, there was no difference in CRP distributions between women taking different types of progestins. Conclusion: concurrent progestin administration may attenuate estrogen’s pro-inflammatory effects, independently on the type of used progestin.