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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
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Publication History

Received 28 July 2003

Accepted after Revision 1 November 2003

Publication Date:
28 April 2004 (online)

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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

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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