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Ginekologia Polska 2017Endometrium is the only tissue in the human body subject to cyclic transformations under the influence of ovarian steroid hormones. As estradiol and progesterone balance... (Review)
Review
Endometrium is the only tissue in the human body subject to cyclic transformations under the influence of ovarian steroid hormones. As estradiol and progesterone balance throughout the physiological menstrual cycle changes, so does the expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs). These endopeptides are responsible for keeping the balance between the process of synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix proteins. Thus, MMP's take part in sustaining physiological stability of the endometrium. A number of MMPs found in the endometrial tissue and their activity is related to menstrual cycle phase. This paper is an up-to-date review of literature of Medline database. The search was conducted for key words including "matrix metalloproteinases", "MMPs", "TIMPs" and "tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases". Over 1092 publications regarding interdependence and interplay between ovarian hormones and the role of various MMPs and their inhibitors in normal endometrial remodelling and in pathological conditions were analysed and critically reviewed.
Topics: Endometrium; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Matrix Metalloproteinases; Menstrual Cycle; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases
PubMed: 28727135
DOI: 10.5603/GP.a2017.0063 -
Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.) Sep 2019Brominated flame retardants, including polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), are persistent compounds reported to affect sex hormones in animals; less is known about potential...
BACKGROUND
Brominated flame retardants, including polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), are persistent compounds reported to affect sex hormones in animals; less is known about potential effects in humans. An industrial accident in 1973-1974 exposed Michigan residents to PBB through contaminated food. We examined whether this exposure to PBB had long-term effects on menstrual cycle function.
METHODS
In 2004-2006, we recruited reproductive-aged women in the Michigan PBB Registry who were not pregnant, lactating, or taking hormonal medications. Participants kept daily diaries and provided daily urine samples for up to 6 months. We assayed the urine samples for estrone 3-glucuronide (E13G), pregnanediol 3-glucuronide (Pd3G), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). We fit linear mixed models among women aged 35-42 years to describe the relation between serum PBB levels and log-transformed, creatinine-adjusted daily endocrine levels among women who were premenarchal during the exposure incident in 1973-1974 (n = 70).
RESULTS
We observed that high (>3.0 parts per billion [ppb]) and medium (>1.0-3.0 ppb) PBB exposure were associated with lower E13G levels across the menstrual cycle and lower FSH levels during the follicular phase, compared with low PBB exposure (≤1.0 ppb). High PBB exposure was also associated with lower Pd3G levels across the cycle compared with low PBB exposure, whereas Pd3G levels were similar in women with medium and low PBB exposure.
CONCLUSION
Our results are consistent with a hypothesized effect of exposure to an exogenous estrogen agonist but the modest sample size of the study requires cautious interpretation.
Topics: Accidents, Occupational; Adolescent; Adult; Biomarkers; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants; Female; Flame Retardants; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Michigan; Middle Aged; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Prospective Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 31180930
DOI: 10.1097/EDE.0000000000001045 -
Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology Jan 2024The female reproductive years are characterized by fluctuations in ovarian hormones across the menstrual cycle, which have the potential to modulate neurophysiological... (Review)
Review
The female reproductive years are characterized by fluctuations in ovarian hormones across the menstrual cycle, which have the potential to modulate neurophysiological and behavioral dynamics. Menstrually-related mood disorders (MRMDs) comprise cognitive-affective or somatic symptoms that are thought to be triggered by the rapid fluctuations in ovarian hormones in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. MRMDs include premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and premenstrual exacerbation (PME) of other psychiatric disorders. Electroencephalography (EEG) non-invasively records in vivo synchronous activity from populations of neurons with high temporal resolution. The present overview sought to systematically review the current state of task-related and resting-state EEG investigations on MRMDs. Preliminary evidence indicates lower alpha asymmetry at rest being associated with MRMDs, while one study points to the effect being luteal-phase specific. Moreover, higher luteal spontaneous frontal brain activity (slow/fast wave ratio as measured by the delta/beta power ratio) has been observed in persons with MRMDs, while sleep architecture results point to potential circadian rhythm disturbances. In this review, we discuss the quality of study designs as well as future perspectives and challenges of supplementing the diagnostic and scientific toolbox for MRMDs with EEG.
Topics: Female; Humans; Mood Disorders; Premenstrual Syndrome; Menstrual Cycle; Electroencephalography; Hormones
PubMed: 38176542
DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101120 -
American Journal of Physiology. Heart... Dec 2020Fluctuations in endogenous hormones estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle may offer vasoprotection for endothelial and smooth muscle (VSM) function. While... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Fluctuations in endogenous hormones estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle may offer vasoprotection for endothelial and smooth muscle (VSM) function. While numerous studies have been published, the results are conflicting, leaving our understanding of the impact of the menstrual cycle on vascular function unclear. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to consolidate available research exploring the role of the menstrual cycle on peripheral vascular function. A systematic search of MEDLINE, Web of Science, and EMBASE was performed for articles evaluating peripheral endothelial and VSM function across the natural menstrual cycle: early follicular (EF) phase versus late follicular (LF), early luteal, mid luteal, or late luteal. A meta-analysis examined the effect of the menstrual cycle on the standardized mean difference (SMD) of the outcome measures. Analysis from 30 studies ( = 1,363 women) observed a "very low" certainty of evidence that endothelial function increased in the LF phase (SMD: 0.45, = 0.0001), with differences observed in the macrovasculature but not in the microvasculature (SMD: 0.57, = 0.0003, I = 84%; SMD: 0.21, = 0.17, I = 34%, respectively). However, these results are partially explained by differences in flow-mediated dilation [e.g., discrete (SMD: 0.86, = 0.001) vs. continuous peak diameter assessment (SMD: 0.25, = 0.30)] and/or menstrual cycle phase methodologies. There was a "very low" certainty that endothelial function was largely unchanged in the luteal phases, and VSM was unchanged across the cycle. The menstrual cycle appears to have a small effect on macrovascular endothelial function but not on microvascular or VSM function; however, these results can be partially attributed to methodological differences.
Topics: Adult; Endothelium, Vascular; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Hemodynamics; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Microcirculation; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Premenopause; Signal Transduction; Young Adult
PubMed: 33064553
DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00341.2020 -
Fertility and Sterility Mar 2019"Time moves slowly but passes quickly" - Alice Walker.
"Time moves slowly but passes quickly" - Alice Walker.
Topics: Cell Phone; Female; Fertility; Humans; Menstrual Cycle; Mobile Applications; Models, Biological; Ovulation; Ovulation Detection; Ovulation Prediction; Periodicity; Predictive Value of Tests; Pregnancy; Time Factors; Wearable Electronic Devices
PubMed: 30722938
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.11.040 -
Physiological Reports May 2022There is emerging evidence that ovarian hormones play a significant role in the lower stroke incidence observed in pre-menopausal women compared with men. However, the...
There is emerging evidence that ovarian hormones play a significant role in the lower stroke incidence observed in pre-menopausal women compared with men. However, the role of ovarian hormones in cerebrovascular regulation remains to be elucidated. We examined the blood pressure-cerebral blood flow relationship (cerebral autoregulation) across the menstrual cycle in eumenorrheic women (n = 12; mean ± SD: age, 31 ± 7 years). Participants completed sit-to-stand and Valsalva maneuvers (VM, mouth pressure of 40 mmHg for 15 s) during the early follicular (EF), late follicular (LF), and mid-luteal (ML) menstrual cycle phases, confirmed by serum measurement of progesterone and 17β-estradiol. Middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv), arterial blood pressure and partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide were measured. Cerebral autoregulation was assessed by transfer function analysis during spontaneous blood pressure oscillations, rate of regulation (RoR) during sit-to-stand maneuvers, and Tieck's autoregulatory index during VM phases II and IV (AI-II and AI-IV, respectively). Resting mean MCAv (MCAv ), blood pressure, and cerebral autoregulation were unchanged across the menstrual cycle (all p > 0.12). RoR tended to be different (EF, 0.25 ± 0.06; LF; 0.19 ± 0.04; ML, 0.18 ± 0.12 sec ; p = 0.07) and demonstrated a negative relationship with 17β-estradiol (R = 0.26, p = 0.02). No changes in AI-II (EF, 1.95 ± 1.20; LF, 1.67 ± 0.77 and ML, 1.20 ± 0.55) or AI-IV (EF, 1.35 ± 0.21; LF, 1.27 ± 0.26 and ML, 1.20 ± 0.2) were observed (p = 0.25 and 0.37, respectively). Although, a significant interaction effect (p = 0.02) was observed for the VM MCAv response. These data indicate that the menstrual cycle has limited impact on cerebrovascular autoregulation, but individual differences should be considered.
Topics: Adult; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Estradiol; Female; Homeostasis; Humans; Male; Menstrual Cycle; Middle Cerebral Artery; Young Adult
PubMed: 35524340
DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15287 -
European Journal of Sport Science May 2022The aim of this review is to discuss sexual dimorphism of energy metabolism, and to describe the impact of women's hormonal status on substrate oxidation during... (Review)
Review
The aim of this review is to discuss sexual dimorphism of energy metabolism, and to describe the impact of women's hormonal status on substrate oxidation during exercise. Many evidences indicate that sex steroids play a pivotal role in the sex-related differences of body composition and energy substrate storage. Compared with men, women rely more on fat and less on carbohydrates at the same relative exercise intensity. Scientific data suggest that 17-β oestradiol is a key hormone for the regulation of body composition and substrate metabolism. However, in women, measurements with stable isotopic tracers did not highlight any difference in whole-body substrate oxidation rates between the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle during endurance exercise. The remaining discrepancies about the effect of menstrual cycle-related hormone fluctuations on substrate oxidation could be partly explained by the exercise intensity, which is an important regulator of substrate oxidation. Due to their specific nature and concentration, the synthetic ovarian hormones contained in oral contraceptives also influence substrate metabolism during endurance exercise. However, more studies are needed to confirm that oral contraceptives increase lipolytic activity during endurance exercise without any substantial (or detectable) effect on substrate utilization. Pregnancy and menopause also modify body composition and substrate utilization during exercise through specific hormonal fluctuations. This review highlights that the hormonal status is likely to affect substrate oxidation during exercise in women emphasizing the need to take it into consideration to optimize their health and performance.
Topics: Contraceptives, Oral; Energy Metabolism; Exercise; Female; Humans; Male; Menstrual Cycle; Progesterone; Sex Characteristics
PubMed: 34134602
DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2021.1943713 -
Current Psychiatry Reports Oct 2019To examine the potential role of ovarian hormones in biological vulnerability to borderline personality disorder (BPD). The review focuses primarily on research... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
To examine the potential role of ovarian hormones in biological vulnerability to borderline personality disorder (BPD). The review focuses primarily on research examining the menstrual cycle as a source of short-term lability of BPD symptom expression, while discussing the currently understudied possibility of ovarian hormone influence in the developmental course of BPD.
FINDINGS
Several patterns of menstrual cycle effects on BPD symptoms and relevant features in non-clinical samples have been observed in empirical studies. Most symptoms demonstrated patterns consistent with perimenstrual exacerbation; however, timing varied between high and low arousal symptoms, potentially reflecting differing mechanisms. Symptoms are typically lowest around ovulation, with an exception for proactive aggression and some forms of impulsive behaviors. Preliminary evidence suggests ovarian hormones may exert strong effects on BPD symptom expression, and further research is warranted examining mechanisms and developing interventions. Recommendations for researchers and clinicians working with BPD are provided.
Topics: Aggression; Borderline Personality Disorder; Female; Gonadal Hormones; Humans; Impulsive Behavior; Menstrual Cycle; Ovary
PubMed: 31624929
DOI: 10.1007/s11920-019-1096-y -
European Journal of Sport Science Feb 2022The aim of the current study was to investigate iron metabolism in endurance trained women through the interleukin-6, hepcidin and iron responses to exercise along...
The aim of the current study was to investigate iron metabolism in endurance trained women through the interleukin-6, hepcidin and iron responses to exercise along different endogenous hormonal states. Fifteen women performed 40 min treadmill running trials at 75% vVO2peak during three specific phases of the menstrual cycle: early follicular phase (day 3 ± 0.85), mid-follicular phase (day 8 ± 1.09) and luteal phase (day 21 ± 1.87). Venous blood samples were taken pre-, 0 h post- and 3 h post-exercise. Interleukin-6 reported a significant interaction for menstrual cycle phase and time (=0.014), showing higher interleukin-6 levels at 3 h post-exercise during luteal phase compared to the early follicular phase (=0.004) and the mid-follicular phase (=0.002). Iron levels were significantly lower (=0.009) during the early follicular phase compared to the mid-follicular phase. However, hepcidin levels were not different across menstrual cycle phases (>0.05). The time-course for hepcidin and interleukin-6 responses to exercise was different from the literature, since hepcidin peak levels occurred at 0 h post-exercise, whereas the highest interleukin-6 levels occurred at 3 h post-exercise. We concluded that menstrual cycle phases may alter interleukin-6 production causing a higher inflammation when progesterone levels are elevated (days 19-21). Moreover, during the early follicular phase a significant reduction of iron levels is observed potentially due to a loss of haemoglobin through menses. According to our results, high intensity exercises should be carefully monitored in these phases in order not to further compromise iron stores.
Topics: Exercise; Female; Follicular Phase; Hepcidins; Humans; Interleukin-6; Luteal Phase; Menstrual Cycle; Progesterone
PubMed: 33317411
DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2020.1853816 -
BMC Medicine Dec 2023Preliminary evidence demonstrates some parameters of metabolic control, including glycaemic control, lipid control and insulin resistance, vary across the menstrual...
Association between menstrual cycle phase and metabolites in healthy, regularly menstruating women in UK Biobank, and effect modification by inflammatory markers and risk factors for metabolic disease.
BACKGROUND
Preliminary evidence demonstrates some parameters of metabolic control, including glycaemic control, lipid control and insulin resistance, vary across the menstrual cycle. However, the literature is inconsistent, and the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the association between the menstrual cycle phase and metabolites and to explore potential mediators and moderators of these associations.
METHODS
We undertook a cross-sectional cohort study using UK Biobank. The outcome variables were glucose; triglyceride; triglyceride to glucose index (TyG index); total, HDL and LDL cholesterol; and total to HDL cholesterol ratio. Generalised additive models (GAM) were used to investigate non-linear associations between the menstrual cycle phase and outcome variables. Anthropometric, lifestyle, fitness and inflammatory markers were explored as potential mediators and moderators of the associations between the menstrual cycle phase and outcome variables.
RESULTS
Data from 8694 regularly menstruating women in UK Biobank were analysed. Non-linear associations were observed between the menstrual cycle phase and total (p < 0.001), HDL (p < 0.001), LDL (p = 0.012) and total to HDL cholesterol (p < 0.001), but not glucose (p = 0.072), triglyceride (p = 0.066) or TyG index (p = 0.100). Neither anthropometric, physical fitness, physical activity, nor inflammatory markers mediated the associations between the menstrual cycle phase and metabolites. Moderator analysis demonstrated a greater magnitude of variation for all metabolites across the menstrual cycle in the highest and lowest two quartiles of fat mass and physical activity, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Cholesterol profiles exhibit a non-linear relationship with the menstrual cycle phase. Physical activity, anthropometric and fitness variables moderate the associations between the menstrual cycle phase and metabolite concentration. These findings indicate the potential importance of physical activity and fat mass as modifiable risk factors of the intra-individual variation in metabolic control across the menstrual cycle in pre-menopausal women.
Topics: Female; Humans; Cholesterol, HDL; Cross-Sectional Studies; Biological Specimen Banks; Menstruation; Menstrual Cycle; Risk Factors; Insulin Resistance; Triglycerides; Glucose
PubMed: 38066548
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03195-w