RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (METS) and its components significantly increase after the menopause. Related increased cardiovascular risk may partially be explained by a pro-inflammatory state. OBJECTIVE: To assess pro-inflammatory cytokine serum levels in postmenopausal women with and without the METS. METHODS: Serum of 90 postmenopausal women who previously participated in a METS screening programme was analysed for tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Cytokine levels were compared among those with and without the syndrome, and for each of its components. Linear relationships were also assessed between cytokine levels and several continuous variables including each diagnostic METS criteria and menopausal symptoms assessed with the Menopause Specific Quality of Life tool (MENQOL). RESULTS: For all studied women mean age was 55.1 ± 7.3 years with 63.3% having abdominal obesity, 15.6% hyperglycaemia, 58.9% high triglycerides, 44.4% hypertension and 25.6% high total cholesterol levels. Women with the METS (n = 45) significantly had higher body mass index values, and higher rates of abdominal obesity, hyperglycaemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension and lower HDL-C levels. Cytokine levels did not differ among women with or without the METS; however, independent of METS diagnosis those with abdominal obesity displayed significantly higher IL-6 levels and those with hypertension higher levels of both cytokines. Levels of both cytokines positively correlated with age and time since menopause, IL-6 positively correlating with waist circumference values and TNF-α positively with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. A significant positive correlation was also found between the number of positive METS criteria (0-5) and both cytokine levels. Cytokine levels did not correlate with vasomotor and psycho-social MENQOL scores. CONCLUSION: Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in this postmenopausal series positively correlated with age, time since the menopause, abdominal circumference, blood pressures levels and the number of positive METS diagnostic criteria. There is a need for more research in this regard.
Assuntos
Interleucina-6/sangue , Síndrome Metabólica/sangue , Pós-Menopausa/sangue , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/sangue , Equador/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Síndrome Metabólica/epidemiologia , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Since current clinical evidence indicates that conventional estrogen hormone therapy (HT) increases cardiovascular risk, alternatives to estrogens are growing in popularity, especially among high-risk populations. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of Trifolium pratense-derived isoflavone supplementation on the lipid profile of postmenopausal women with increased body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Sixty postmenopausal women aged > 40 years, HT non-users, were randomly assigned to one of two groups: either two capsules of T. pratense (80 mg red clover isoflavones) daily for a 90-day period or placebo of equal design. After a 7-day washout period, medication was crossed-over for another 90 days. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and lipoprotein A (LpA) levels were assessed at baseline, 90 and 180 days. Women were divided into two groups: those with increased BMI (>or=25 kg/m(2)) and those with BMI < 25 kg/m(2). RESULTS: Fifty-three women (88.3%) completed the trial. T. pratense isoflavone supplementation had a positive effect on the lipid profile of women with increased BMI, evidenced by a significant decrease in TC, LDL-C and LpA levels. CONCLUSIONS: Isoflavones derived from T. pratense are an attractive alternative therapeutic option for high-risk populations such as postmenopausal women with increased BMI and abnormal lipid profile.
Assuntos
Índice de Massa Corporal , Dislipidemias/prevenção & controle , Isoflavonas/uso terapêutico , Pós-Menopausa/sangue , Trifolium , Método Duplo-Cego , Dislipidemias/sangue , Feminino , Humanos , Lipídeos/sangue , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fitoterapia , Extratos Vegetais/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Quality of life decreases after the menopause as it has been assessed by several designed tools. Despite this, few studies have reported correlations between quality of life and the metabolic syndrome and its determinants. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate quality of life and determine factors related to its impairment among postmenopausal Ecuadorian women. METHODS: Postmenopausal women that participated in a metabolic syndrome screening and educational program at the Institute of Biomedicine of the Universidad Católica of Guayaquil, Ecuador were interviewed using the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL). Mean domain scores as well as factors associated to higher scores within each of the domains of the questionnaire (vasomotor, psycho-social, physical and sexual) were determined. RESULTS: Three hundred twenty-five postmenopausal women (n=325) were surveyed. Mean age of participants was 55.9+/-8.1 years (median: 54 years). Women presented metabolic syndrome, hypertension, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia and abdominal obesity in 41.5%, 38.8%, 16.6%, 56.9% and 54.2% respectively. Mean scores obtained for each domain were: vasomotor: 3.5+/-2.5 (median 3); psycho-social: 3.7+/-1.5 (median 3.6); physical: 3.8+/-1.2 (median 3.8); sexual: 4.9+/-2.3 (median 5.3). More than 50% of women had scores above the median for each domain of the questionnaire. Logistic regression determined that vasomotor score decreased with age. Abdominal obesity increased the risk of having vasomotor, psycho-social and physical scores above the median. Hypertension and hyperglycemia increased the risk for higher scores within the psycho-social and sexual domain respectively. CONCLUSION: In this postmenopausal Ecuadorian population, impairment of quality of life was found to be associated to age and related conditions such as abdominal obesity, hypertension and hyperglycemia.
Assuntos
Síndrome Metabólica/psicologia , Pós-Menopausa/psicologia , Qualidade de Vida/psicologia , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Equador/etnologia , Feminino , Nível de Saúde , Humanos , Hiperglicemia/psicologia , Hipertensão/psicologia , Programas de Rastreamento , Síndrome Metabólica/complicações , Síndrome Metabólica/etnologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Obesidade/psicologia , Pós-Menopausa/etnologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome increases with age and after the onset of menopause, and may explain in part the apparent acceleration of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and related risk determinants among postmenopausal women in Ecuador. METHODS: Postmenopausal women >or=40 years of age, non-users of hormone therapy and with an intact uterus, were asked to participate in a metabolic syndrome screening and educational program at the Institute of Biomedicine of the Universidad Católica of Guayaquil, Ecuador. Sociodemographic data, waist circumference and blood pressure measurements were recorded, and a fasting blood sample obtained for serum glucose and lipid profile determinations. Woman were counseled and managed according to the results. Metabolic syndrome was defined in accordance with the criteria of the Third Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III). RESULTS: Three hundred and twenty-five postmenopausal women entered the program. Mean (+/-standard deviation) age was 55.9 +/- 8.1 years, 53.5% of them were aged >or=54 years (median). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome, according to ATP III criteria, was 41.5%. Using the same criteria, 38.8%, 16.6%, 56.9% and 54.2% of the women presented with hypertension, diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia and abdominal obesity, respectively. More than 40% of women determined to have hypertension or diabetes lacked knowing so. Logistic regression analysis determined that age increased the risk of presenting hypertension and diabetes (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 2.0 (1.2-3.2) and 1.6 (0.9-3.0), respectively, p < 0.05), entities which in turn duplicated the risk of having high triglyceride levels. Sedentary women with <5 years since menopause onset were at higher risk of having abdominal obesity, which was directly related to diabetes and hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: In this postmenopausal Ecuadorian population the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was high and its determinant factors related to age, time since menopause onset and sedentary habits. Because of the implications for cardiovascular risk, counseling programs directed toward high-risk populations should be encouraged.
Assuntos
Síndrome Metabólica/epidemiologia , Pós-Menopausa/metabolismo , Adulto , Idoso , Índice de Massa Corporal , Comorbidade , Estudos Transversais , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/complicações , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/epidemiologia , Equador/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Hipertensão/complicações , Hipertensão/epidemiologia , Lipídeos/sangue , Síndrome Metabólica/complicações , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Obesidade/complicações , Obesidade/epidemiologia , Razão de Chances , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The unexpected results of the Women's Health Initiative study have decreased the use of conventional hormone therapy (HT), changing physicians' and patients' attitudes towards HT and increasing their interest in alternative options. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of isoflavones contained in red clover extracts (Trifolium pratense) on menopausal symptoms, lipids and vaginal cytology in menopausal women. METHODS: Sixty postmenopausal women aged >40 years, non-users of HT, with Kupperman index score 15, were double-blindly randomized to receive either a commercially available red clover isoflavone supplement (80 mg/day) or placebo for 90 days. Subsequently, after a 7-day washout period, subjects switched to receive the opposite treatment for a further 90 days. Kupperman index score was determined and fasting blood and vaginal cytologic sampling performed at baseline, 90 and 180 days. RESULTS: Fifty-three women (88.3%) completed the trial. Mean age was 51.3 +/- 3.5 years, 69.7% of the women were aged 50 years or more. There was no significant effect on body mass index, weight or blood pressure after either treatment phase. Baseline Kupperman index score decreased significantly after each treatment phase, with the decrease more pronounced after the isoflavone phase (baseline: 27.2 +/- 7.7; after isoflavone: 5.9 +/- 3.9; after placebo: 20.9 +/- 5.3, p < 0.05). Red clover isoflavone supplementation significantly decreased the rate of menopausal symptoms and had a positive effect on vaginal cytology as expressed by improvement in karyopyknotic, cornification and basal cell maturation indices. Mean total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride levels also decreased; however, only the latter was significantly lower compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with placebo, red clover isoflavone supplementation in postmenopausal women significantly decreased menopausal symptoms and had a positive effect on vaginal cytology and triglyceride levels.