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JACC. Advances Dec 2023Recent evidence has shown that reproductive factors are associated with an increased risk of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in women. However, the...
BACKGROUND
Recent evidence has shown that reproductive factors are associated with an increased risk of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in women. However, the pathogenic pathways underlying this relationship are unclear. Subclinical myocardial fibrosis has been found to be a common pathway in a large proportion of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
OBJECTIVES
This study examined the relationship between vital reproductive factors (parity, pregnancy, age at menopause, and use of hormone replacement therapy [HRT]) with interstitial myocardial fibrosis (IMF) and myocardial scar measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) T1 mapping and late gadolinium enhancement, respectively.
METHODS
There were 596 female participants (mean age 67 ± 8 years) enrolled in MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) who had complete parity data and underwent CMR. Parity was categorized as 0 live births, 1 to 2, 3 to 4, and ≥5 live births. Multivariable regression models were constructed to assess the associations of parity status, history of null gravidity, age at menopause and HRT with CMR obtained measures of IMF (extracellular volume [ECV], native-T1 time) and myocardial scar.
RESULTS
Women with a history of nulliparity had greater ECV% (β = 0.95 ± 0.28, = 0.001) and native-T1 ms (β = 10.6 ± 4.9, = 0.03) than those who had 1 to 2 live births. These associations were independent of age, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and interim cardiovascular events. Similar associations were found for women with a history of null gravidity compared to those with a history of pregnancy (ECV% [β = 0.7 ± 0.3, = 0.02] and native-T1 ms [β = 10.6 ± 5.2, = 0.04]). There was no association between age at menopause and HRT with markers of IMF. There were no associations between parity status, null gravidity, and age of menopause with the presence of myocardial scar; however, those who used HRT were independently associated with a lesser risk of myocardial scar (OR: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.05-0.82).
CONCLUSIONS
In a multiethnic cohort, women with a history of nulliparity or null gravidity had greater IMF defined by CMR, while those who used HRT were less likely to have myocardial scar.
PubMed: 38938498
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2023.100703 -
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta.... Jun 2024Postmenopausal women experience bone loss and weight gain. To date, crosstalk between estrogen receptor signals and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) has been reported, and...
Postmenopausal women experience bone loss and weight gain. To date, crosstalk between estrogen receptor signals and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) has been reported, and estrogen depletion enhances bone resorption by osteoclasts via NF-κB activation. However, it is unclear when and in which tissues NF-κB is activated after menopause, and how NF-κB acts as a common signaling molecule for postmenopausal weight gain and bone loss. Therefore, we examined the role of NF-κB in bone and energy metabolism following menopause. NF-κB reporter mice, which can be used to measure NF-κB activation in vivo, were ovariectomized (OVX) and the luminescence intensity after OVX increased in the metaphyses of the long bones and perigonadal white adipose tissue, but not in the other tissues. OVX was performed on wild-type (WT) and p65 mutant knock-in (S534A) mice, whose mutation enhances the transcriptional activity of NF-κB. Weight gain with worsening glucose tolerance was significant in S534A mice after OVX compared with those of WT mice. The bone density of the sham group in WT or S534A mice did not change, whereas in the S534A-OVX group it significantly decreased due to the suppression of bone formation and increase in bone marrow adipocytes. Disulfiram, an anti-alcoholic drug, suppressed OVX-induced activation of NF-κB in the metaphyses of long bones and white adipose tissue (WAT), as well as weight gain and bone loss. Overall, the activation of NF-κB in the metaphyses of long bones and WAT after OVX regulates post-OVX weight gain and bone loss.
PubMed: 38936515
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167320 -
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Jun 2024A balanced and healthy diet during the menopausal transition and after menopause is crucial for women to reduce the risk for morbidities and chronic diseases due to...
A systematic review on the impact of nutrition and possible supplementation on the deficiency of vitamin complexes, iron, omega-3-fatty acids, and lycopene in relation to increased morbidity in women after menopause.
UNLABELLED
A balanced and healthy diet during the menopausal transition and after menopause is crucial for women to reduce the risk for morbidities and chronic diseases due to deficiency of essential nutrients.
PURPOSE
The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of studies that analyzed the impact of vitamin and nutrient deficiencies in postmenopausal women in relation to increased morbidities and chronic conditions.
METHODS
Observational studies were searched in the databases PubMed, UpToDate, and Google Scholar.
RESULTS
We searched 122 studies, of which 90 were included in our analysis. The meta-analysis of the data could not be performed because of the heterogeneity of the statistical methods in the included studies. In our study, we focused on the aspects of vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, omega-3-fatty acids, and lycopene, belonging to the family of carotenoids. Postmenopausal women with deficiencies of these nutrients are more vulnerable to comorbidities such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, metabolic diseases, osteoporosis, obesity, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression, cognitive decline, dementia, and stroke. We concluded that women after menopause tend to have a greater probability of suffering from deficiencies in various vitamins and nutrients, and consequently have an increased risk of developing morbidities and chronic diseases.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, maintaining optimum serum levels of nutrients and vitamins, either through a balanced and healthy diet consuming fresh fruits, vegetables, and fats or by taking appropriate supplementation, is essential in maintaining optimal health-related quality of life and reducing the risk for women during the menopausal transition and after menopause. Nevertheless, more recent studies need to be assessed to formulate adequate recommendations to achieve positive clinical outcomes.
PubMed: 38935105
DOI: 10.1007/s00404-024-07555-6 -
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research Jun 2024The decline in estrogen during menopause contributes to a variety of menopausal symptoms, for which hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been extensively applied....
SCOPE
The decline in estrogen during menopause contributes to a variety of menopausal symptoms, for which hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been extensively applied. Regarding side effects and limited effectiveness of HRT for specific individuals, there is a growing interest in safe alternatives such as phytoestrogens which are structurally analogous to estrogens. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of yam and gromwell extracts, rich in bioactive compounds, and the synergistic effect of extracts on symptoms induced by estrogen deficiency in ovariectomized (OVX) mice.
METHODS AND RESULTS
OVX mice receive dietary intervention of either yam, gromwell extract, or their mixture for 14 weeks. Sham-operated mice and E2-injected OVX mice serve as positive controls. Following 14 weeks of oral administration, blood, adipose tissue, vagina, uterus, femurs, and tibias are harvested for further investigation. Consequently, yam and gromwell extracts ameliorate menopausal conditions such as weight gain, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and osteoporosis in estrogen-deficient OVX mice. In addition, the mixture of yam and gromwell extracts synergistically aids in the relief of the indications.
CONCLUSION
These results indicate the potential use of yam and gromwell extracts, as well as their mixture, for the development of healthy functional foods to modulate menopausal symptoms.
PubMed: 38934532
DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202400158 -
Combinatorial Chemistry & High... Jun 2024The incidence of dyslipidemia increases after menopause. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been recommended for menopause-related disease. However, the positive effect on...
Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) Full-length Transcriptomics Shows Electroacupuncture ameliorates Lipid Metabolic Disorder through Suppressing Hepatic Pdia3/Perk/Qrich1 Expression in Rats.
BACKGROUND
The incidence of dyslipidemia increases after menopause. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been recommended for menopause-related disease. However, the positive effect on lipid metabolism disorders is still unclear.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the underlying mechanism of EA treatment on lipid metabolism disorders through ONT full-length transcriptome sequencing Methods: Adult female SD rats were randomly divided into Ctrl, sham operation+high-fat feed(Sham+HFD), Ovariectomized+high-fat feed (OVX+HFD), Ovariectomized+high-fat feed + Atorvastatin (OVX+HFD+ATO) and OVX+HFD+EA groups. Periovarian adipose tissue around the bilateral ovaries of rats in the Sham+HFD group was resected. Rats in the OVX+HFD, OVX+HFD+ATO and OVX+HFD+EA groups were subjected to bilateral oophorectomy to prepare the ovariectomized rat model. Treatment was applied to rats in the OVX+HFD+EA group. ST36, PC6, SP6, BL18 and ST40 were the selected acupoints. Daily food intake and body weights of rats were recorded. The samples were collected 30 days after treatment. The serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) were detected to assess the improvement of lipid metabolism disorders. HE and oil red O staining were used to stain the liver tissues. Total RNA was extracted from liver tissues, and its transcriptional changes were determined by high-throughput sequencing. Additionally, RTÁqPCR and immunofluorescence staining were used to verify the crucial signal pathway screened by the ONT fullÁlength transcriptome sequencing.
RESULTS
EA treatment resulted in a lowered weight of perirenal fat and liver and a significant improvement in the color of the liver. In addition, EA could improve the lipid profile and hepatic steatosis in OVX+HFD rats. According to fullÁlength transcriptome sequencing, 2292 genes showed differential expression in the OVX+HFD group; of these, 1121 were upregulated and 1171 down-regulated. 609 DEGs were found in the OVX+HFD+EA group compared to the OVX+HFD group; 235 up-regulated and 374 down-regulated. We also found that 77 genes are significantly upregulated after EA intervention through Venn map analysis (including Agtr1a, Pdia3, etc.), which may be the targeted genes for EA treatment of lipid metabolism disorders. Finally, we verified the expression of Pdia3, Perk and Qrich1 levels in liver tissues. HFD feeding could increase the expression of Pdia3 and its downstream signal pathways molecular Perk and Qrich1. But these effects were reversed by EA treatment, the results demonstrated that the expression of pdia3, Perk, as well as Qrich1 of OVX+HFD rats had a decreasing trend after EA treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
EA could ameliorate lipid metabolic disorder in OVX+HFD rats. The Pdia3/Perk/Qrich1 signal pathway may play crucial roles in the improvement of lipid metabolism disorder of OVX+HFD rats after EA treatment.
PubMed: 38934278
DOI: 10.2174/0113862073290732240522103606 -
Frontiers in Global Women's Health 2024Epilepsy, is a serious neurological condition, characterized by recurring, unprovoked seizures and affects over 50 million people worldwide. Epilepsy has an equal... (Review)
Review
Epilepsy, is a serious neurological condition, characterized by recurring, unprovoked seizures and affects over 50 million people worldwide. Epilepsy has an equal prevalence in males and females, and occurs throughout the life span. Women with epilepsy (WWE) present with unique challenges due to the cyclical fluctuation of sex steroid hormone concentrations during their life course. These shifts in sex steroid hormones and their metabolites are intricately intertwined with seizure susceptibility and affect epilepsy during the life course of women in a complex manner. Here we present a review encompassing neurosteroids-steroids that act on the brain regardless of their site of synthesis in the body; the role of neurosteroids in women with epilepsy through their life-course; exogenous neurosteroid trials; and future research directions. The focus of this review is on progesterone and its derived neurosteroids, given the extensive basic research that supports their role in modulating neuronal excitability.
PubMed: 38933454
DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2024.1363470 -
Nutrients Jun 2024Endothelial dysfunction decreases exercise limb blood flow (BF) and muscle oxygenation. Acute L-Citrulline supplementation (CIT) improves muscle tissue oxygen saturation... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Endothelial dysfunction decreases exercise limb blood flow (BF) and muscle oxygenation. Acute L-Citrulline supplementation (CIT) improves muscle tissue oxygen saturation index (TSI) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb) during exercise. Although CIT improves endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation [FMD]) in hypertensive women, the impact of CIT on exercise BF and muscle oxygenation (TSI) and extraction (HHb) are unknown. We examined the effects of CIT (10 g/day) and a placebo for 4 weeks on blood pressure (BP), arterial vasodilation (FMD, BF, and vascular conductance [VC]), and forearm muscle oxygenation (TSI and HHb) at rest and during exercise in 22 hypertensive postmenopausal women. Compared to the placebo, CIT significantly ( < 0.05) increased FMD (Δ-0.7 ± 0.6% vs. Δ1.6 ± 0.7%) and reduced aortic systolic BP (Δ3 ± 5 vs. Δ-4 ± 6 mmHg) at rest and improved exercise BF (Δ17 ± 12 vs. Δ48 ± 16 mL/min), VC (Δ-21 ± 9 vs. Δ41 ± 14 mL/mmHg/min), TSI (Δ-0.84 ± 0.58% vs. Δ1.61 ± 0.46%), and HHb (Δ1.03 ± 0.69 vs. Δ-2.76 ± 0.77 μM). Exercise BF and VC were positively correlated with improved FMD and TSI during exercise (all < 0.05). CIT improved exercise artery vasodilation and muscle oxygenation via increased endothelial function in hypertensive postmenopausal women.
Topics: Humans; Female; Postmenopause; Citrulline; Middle Aged; Hypertension; Muscle, Skeletal; Hand Strength; Dietary Supplements; Vasodilation; Regional Blood Flow; Aged; Exercise; Blood Pressure; Oxygen; Oxygen Consumption; Double-Blind Method; Endothelium, Vascular
PubMed: 38931289
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121935 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024: This multicentric prospective study was carried out at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio Medico and Ospedale di Stato of St. Marino Republic. Between 1...
: This multicentric prospective study was carried out at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio Medico and Ospedale di Stato of St. Marino Republic. Between 1 January 2019, and 31 December 2022, all pre- and post-menopausal women diagnosed with recurrent, post-coital, and interstitial cystitis at both centers were included in the study. The main aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of vaginal CO laser treatment, alone or combined with intravesical hyaluronic acid instillations, in managing cystitis symptoms, such as dysuria, pollakiuria, and urgency, across the entire patient cohort. The secondary objective was to investigate the reduction in number of annual cystitis episodes post-treatment. : Each woman underwent three to four sessions of micro-ablative CO vaginal laser treatment. A follow-up examination was conducted 12 months after the final laser session (up to December 2023), during which a post-treatment VAS assessment evaluated dysuria, daily pollakiuria, and urgency. The enrolled patients recorded the number of cystitis episodes experienced during the 12-month pre- and post-treatment period. : Results indicated the laser's efficacy in reducing the total number of cystitis episodes per year and an improvement in symptoms up to one year post-treatment. Greater efficacy of the CO laser treatment, particularly when combined with intravesical hyaluronic acid instillation, was observed in both pre- and post- menopausal women. : Fractional CO laser therapy represents a safe and efficacious, non-hormonal approach for pre- and post-menopausal women diagnosed with recurrent, post-coital, and interstitial cystitis.
PubMed: 38930079
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123550 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024We aimed to evaluate the DNA methylation levels in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, measured through Long Interspersed Element-1 (LINE-1) and Alu, and the sleep...
We aimed to evaluate the DNA methylation levels in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, measured through Long Interspersed Element-1 (LINE-1) and Alu, and the sleep parameters in relation to the presence of hot flashes (HFs). This cross-sectional study included 30 peri- or postmenopausal women aged between 45 and 55. The menopausal status was determined according to STRAW + 10 criteria and all participants had a low cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profile determined by Framingham risk score. The sample was divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of HFs documented in their medical history during their initial visit: Group 1 (n = 15) with HFs present and Group 2 (n = 15) with HFs absent. The patients had polysomnography test and HFs were recorded both by sternal skin conductance and self-report overnight. Genomic DNA was extracted from the women's blood and methylation status was analyzed by fluorescence-based real-time quantitative PCR. The quantified value of DNA methylation of a target gene was normalized by β-actin. The primary outcome was the variation in methylation levels of LINE-1 and Alu and sleep parameters according to the presence of HFs. : LINE-1 and Alu methylation levels were higher in Group 1 (HFs present), although statistically non-significant. LINE-1 methylation levels were negatively correlated with age. Sleep efficiency was statistically significantly lower for women in Group 1 (HFs present) (74.66% ± 11.16% vs. 82.63% ± 7.31%; = 0.03). The ratio of duration of awakening to total sleep time was statistically significantly higher in Group 1 (HFs present) (22.38% ± 9.99% vs. 15.07% ± 6.93, = 0.03). Objectively recorded hot flashes were significantly higher in Group 1 (4.00 ± 3.21 vs. 1.47 ± 1.46, = 0.03). None of the cases in Group 2 self-reported HF despite objectively recorded HFs during the polysomnography. The rate of hot flash associated with awakening was 41.4% in the whole sample. Women with a history of hot flashes exhibited lower sleep efficiency and higher awakening rates. Although a history of experiencing hot flashes was associated with higher LINE-1 and Alu methylation levels, no statistical significance was found. Further studies are needed to clarify this association. This study was funded by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa. Project number: TTU-2021-35629.
PubMed: 38930031
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123502 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Menopausal women experience changes in ovarian activity and fluctuating hormone levels. The aim of this study was to detect ongoing sleep and nutritional problems in...
Menopausal women experience changes in ovarian activity and fluctuating hormone levels. The aim of this study was to detect ongoing sleep and nutritional problems in postmenopausal women. This study was conducted with 62 postmenopausal women who had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, were aged 42-64, were not dieting for at least 1 month, and had been using antidepressants for at least 6 months. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-42 were used. Anthropometric measurements were taken and body composition analysis was performed. The prevalence of obesity and overweight were 12.9% and 71%, respectively. Hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swing were more common in those who had been through menopause for <5 years. Also, the PSQI, Depression, and Stress scores of those women were higher. Women who had been menopausal for ≥5 years had a higher BMI, waist/hip ratio, and fat mass and better sleep quality and lower daytime dysfunction according to the PSQI. Energy and fat intake were higher, while protein, vitamin C, and calcium intakes were lower in women who had been menopausal for ≥5 years. It is crucial for healthcare professionals to review approaches for early and late menopausal periods and to individualize treatment options, especially in patients whose symptoms persist.
PubMed: 38929757
DOI: 10.3390/life14060775