Download PDF
Horm Metab Res 2004; 36(4): 215-220
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-814450
Original Basic
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Lipid and Lipoprotein Profile in Menopausal Transition. Effects of Hormones, Age and Fat Distribution

G.  Berg1 , V.  Mesch2 , L.  Boero2 , F.  Sayegh3 , M.  Prada3 , M.  Royer3 , M.  L.  Muzzio1 , L.  Schreier1 , N.  Siseles3 , H.  Benencia2
  • 1Laboratorio de Lípidos y Lipoproteínas, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires
  • 2Sección Endocrinología, Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires
  • 3Sección Climaterio, División Ginecología, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires
Further Information

Publication History

Received 28 July 2003

Accepted after Revision 1 November 2003

Publication Date:
28 April 2004 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The behavior of lipoproteins during the menopausal transition and their relationship with sex hormones and body fat distribution is still unclear. Our aim was to evaluate atherogenic IDL, LDL, Lp(a) and antiatherogenic HDL lipoproteins in four groups of women: premenopausal (n = 20), menopausal transition women with menstrual bleeding (n = 31), menopausal transition women with 3 to 6 months amenorrhea (n = 36), and postmenopausal women (n = 30). We also measured their FSH, LH and estradiol levels along with BMI and waist circumference. Menopausal transition and postmenopausal women showed higher values of waist circumference (p < 0.0032), LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.002), IDL-cholesterol (p < 0.002) and apoprotein B (p < 0.0001) than premenopausal women. Total-cholesterol (p < 0.0001), triglycerides (p < 0.004), IDL-cholesterol and Lp(a) were higher in menopausal transition women with amenorrhea and in postmenopausal women in comparison with premenopausal women. After adjustment according to age and waist circumference, multiple regression analysis showed the increase in total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol to be linearly associated to menopausal status and estradiol concentration, whereas Lp(a) was only related to menopausal status. Age was found to be an independent variable in relation to apoprotein B concentration changes. The effect of menopausal status on TG levels did not remain in the model when age, waist and BMI were included (β = 0.05, p = 0.356). HDL-cholesterol levels were the same in all the groups. Menopause, age and the increase in abdominal fat distribution were three independent and significant factors impairing lipoprotein profiles from the beginning of the menopausal transition.

Key words

Lipoproteins - Lp(a) - Estradiol - Perimenopause - Waist circumference

References

  • 1 Kannel W, Hjortland M, McNamara P, Gordon T. Menopause and risk of cardiovascular disease: The Framingham study.  Ann Intern Med. 1976;  85 447-452
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 2 Gardner C, Fortmann S, Krauss R. Association of small low-density lipoprotein particles with the incidence of coronary artery disease in men and women.  JAMA. 1996;  276 875-881
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 3 Ma P, Yamamoto T, Goldstein J, Brown M. Increased mRNA for LDL receptor in livers of rabbits treated with 17 alpha-etinil estradiol.  Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1986;  83 792-796
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 4 Parini P, Bo A, Rudling M. Importance of estrogen receptors in hepatic LDL receptor regulation.  Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1997;  17 1800-1805
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 5 Berg G, Siseles N, Gonzalez A, Contreras Ortiz, Tempone A, Wikinski R. Higher values of hepatic lipase in postmenopause: relationship with atherogenic intermediate density and low density lipoproteins.  Menopause. 2001;  8 51-57
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 6 Li Z, McNamara J R, Fruchart J C, Luc G, Bard J M, Ordovas J M, Wilson P W, Schaefer E J. Effects of gender and menopausal status on plasma lipoprotein subspecies and particle sizes.  J Lipid Res. 1996;  37 1886-1896
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 7 Matthews K A, Meilahn E, Kuller L H, Kelsey S, Caggiula A, Wing R R. Menopause and risk factors for coronary heart disease.  N Engl J Med. 1989;  321 641-646
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 8 De Aloysio D, Gambacciani M, Meschia M, Pansini F, Modena A, Bolis P, Sassobrio M, Maiocchi G, Peruzzi E. (The Icarus Study Group) . The effect of menopause on blood lipid and lipoprotein levels.  Atherosclerosis. 1999;  147 147-153
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 9 Dahlen G, Guyton J, Attar M, Farner J, Kautz J, Gotto A. Association of levels of lipoprotein (a), plasma lipids, and other lipoproteins with coronary artery disease documented by angiography.  Circulation. 1986;  74 758-765
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 10 Sharret A R, Ballantyne C M, Coady S A, Heiss G, Sorlie P E, Catellier D, Patsch W. Corornary heart disease prediction from lipoprotein cholesterol levels, triglycerides, lipoprotein(a), apolipoproteins A-I and B, and HDL density subfractions. The atherosclerosis risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.  Circulation. 2001;  104 1108-1113
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 11 Rosengren A, Wilhelmsen L, Eriksson E, Risberg B, Wedel H. Lp(a) and coronary heart disease: a prospective case-control study in a general population sample of middle aged men.  BMJ. 1990;  301 1248-1251
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 12 Shlipak M, Simon J, Vittinghoff E, Lin F, Barrett-Connor E, Knopp R, Levy R, Hulley S. Estrogen and progestin, lipoprotein(a), and the risk of recurrent coronary heart disease events after menopause.  JAMA. 2000;  283 1845-1852
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 13 Kim C, Min Y, Ryu W, Kwak J, Ryoo U. Effect of hormone replacement therapy on Lp(a) and lipid levels in postmenopausal women.  Arch Intern Med. 1996;  156 1693-1700
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 14 Panotopoulos G, Ruiz J, Raison J, Guy-Grand B, Basdevant A. Menopause, fat and lean distribution in obese women.  Maturitas. 1996;  25 11-19
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 15 Gower B, Nagy T, Goran M, Toth M, Poehlman E. Fat distribution and plasma lipid-lipoprotein concentrations in pre and postmenopausal women.  Int J Obes. 1998;  22 605-611
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 16 Björntorp P. Endocrine abnormalities of obesity.  Metabolism. 1995;  44 21-23
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 17 Matthews K, Wing R, Kuller L, Meilahn E, Plantinga P. Influence of the menopause on cardiovascular risk factors and symptoms of middle-aged healthy women.  Arch Intern Med. 1994;  154 2349-2355
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 18 Carr M, Kim K H, Zambon A, Mitchell E, Woods N, Casazza C, Purnell J, Hokanson J, Brunzell J, Schwartz R. Changes in LDL density across the menopausal transition.  J Investig Med. 2000;  48 245-250
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 19 Kanaley J, Sames C, Swick A, Ploutz-Snyder L, Steppan C, Sagendorf K, Feiglin D, Jaynes E, Meyer A, Weinstock S. Abdominal fat distribution in pre-and postmenopausal women: The impact of physical activity, age and menopausal status.  Metabolism. 2001;  50 976-982
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 20 Assman G, Jabs H, Kohnert U, Nolte W, Schriewer H. LDL (low-density-lipoprotein) cholesterol determination in blood serum following precipitation of LDL with poly(vinyl sulphate).  Clin Chim Acta. 1984;  140 77-83
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 21 Warnick G, Benderson J, Albers J. Dextran sulfate-Mg2+ precipitation for quantitation of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.  Clin Chem. 1982;  28 1379-1388
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 22 Wikinski R, Schreier L, Rosental S. New method for isolating and quantifying intermediate and β-very low density lipoprotein cholesterol.  Clin Chem. 1991;  37 1913-1917
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 23 Chang C, Wu C, Yao W, Yang Y, Wu J, Lu F. Relationships of age, menopause and central obesity on cardiovascular disease risk factors in Chinese women.  Int J Obes. 2000;  24 1699-1704
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 24 Berg G, Halperín H, Vilariño A, Tempone A, Wikinski R. Plasmatic Apo-lipoproteins and lipid composition of lipoproteins in pre and postmenopausal women.  Eur Menop J. 1997;  4 4-13
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 25 Hall G, Collins A, Csemiczky G, Landgren B M. Lipoproteins and BMI: a comparison between women during transition to menopause and regularly menstruating healthy women.  Maturitas. 2002;  41 177-185
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 26 Torng P, Su T, Sung F, Chien K, Huang S, Chow S, Lee Y. Effects of menopause on intraindividual changes in serum lipids, blood pressure, and body weight. The Chin-Shan community cardiovascular cohort study.  Atherosclerosis. 2002;  161 409-415
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 27 Couillard C, Bergeron N, PrudŽhomme D, Bergeron J, Tremblay A, Bouchard C, Mauriége P, Després J. Gender difference in postprandial lipemia.  Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1999;  19 2448-2455
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 28 Kim C, Kim T, Tyu W S, Ryoo U. Influence of menopause on high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and lipids.  J Korian Med Sci. 2000;  15 380-386
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 29 Vajo Z, Terry J G, Brinton E. Increased intra-abdominal fat may lower HDL levels by increasing the fractional catabolic rate of Lp A-I in postmenopausal women.  Atherosclerosis. 2002;  160 495-501
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 30 Hobbs H, White A. Lp (a): intrigues and insights.  Curr Opin Lipidol. 1999;  10 225-236
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 31 Zysow B, Kauser K, Lawn R, Rubanyi G. Effects of estrus cycle, ovariectomy and treatment with Estrogen, Tamoxifen, and Progesterone on apolipoprotein(a) gen expression in transgenic mice.  Arteriocler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1997;  17 1741-1745
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 32 De Pergola G, Giorgino F, Cospite M, Giagulli V, Cignarelli M, Ferri G, Giorgino R. Relation between sex hormones and serum lipoprotein and lipoprotein (a) concentrations in premenopausal obese women.  Arteriocler Thromb. 1993;  13 675-679
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 33 Carey D, Jenkins A, Campbell L, Freund J, Chisholm D. Abdominal fat and insulin resistance in normal and overweight women: Direct measurements reveal a strong relationship in subjects at both low and high risk of NIDDM.  Diabetes. 1996;  45 633-638
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 34 Tchernof A, Despres J. Sex steroid hormones, sex hormone-binding globulin and obesity in men and women.  Horm Metab Res. 2000;  32 526-536
    Thieme ConnectPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 35 Shelley J, Green A, Smith A, Dudley E, Dennerstein L, Hopper J, Burger H. Relationship of endogenous sex hormones to lipids and blood pressure in mid-aged women.  Ann Epidemiol. 1998;  8 39-45
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 36 Cauley J, Gutai J, Kuller L, Powel J. The relation of endogenous sex steroid hormone concentrations to serum lipid and lipoprotein levels in postmenopausal women.  Am J Epidemiol. 1990;  132 884-894
    PubMedSearch in Google Scholar
  • 37 Burger H, Dudley E, Robertson D, Dennerstein L. Hormonal changes in the menopause transition.  Recent Prog Horm Res. 2002;  57 257-275
    CrossrefPubMedSearch in Google Scholar

Dr. G. Berg

Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica · Universidad de Buenos Aires

Junín 956 (1113) · Buenos Aires · Argentina

Phone: +54(11)49648297

Fax: +54(11)59508694

Email: lipids@ffyb.uba.ar