Risks of CHD identified by different criteria of metabolic syndrome and related changes of adipocytokines in elderly postmenopausal women

Vitamin D and Lipid Profiles in Postmenopausal Women: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background and Aim: It is known that hyperlipidemia and low vitamin D level are risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the effect of vitamin D administration on lipid profiles in postmenopausal women remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the effect of vitamin D on lipid profiles in postmenopausal women based on meta-analysis and systemic review. Methods: The literature search was performed in multiple databases (Scopus, PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Embase) from 1997 to 2021. The statistical analysis was performed using the Stata software version 14 (Stata Corp. College Station, Texas, United States). The effects of vitamin D administration of the lipid profiles, including Triacylglycerol (TG), LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-Cholesterol (HDL-C), and Total Cholesterol (TC) were evaluated by the Der Simonian and Laird random effects model. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results: The level of TG changed significantly by -3.76 mg/dl (CI: -6.12 to -1.39, p = 0.004) and HDL-C by 0.48 mg/dl (CI: -0.80 to -0.15, p = 0.004) in vitamin D administration group [11 eligible trials (placebo = 505 participants, vitamin D intervention = 604 participants)] compared to the control group in the postmenopausal women. Taking into account this comparison between groups, in contrast, the level of LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD: 0.73 mg/dl, 95% CI: -1.88, 3.36, p = 0.583) and TC (WMD: 0.689 mg/dl, CI: -3.059 to 4.438, p = 0.719) did not change significantly. Conclusion: In conclusion, the vitamin D administration in postmenopausal women, decreased the concentrations of TG, and HDL-C, but have no effects on LDL-C and TC.

Assessment of the Relationship between Serum Vitamin D and Osteocalcin Levels with Metabolic Syndrome in Non-Osteoporotic Postmenopausal Women

Introduction The aim of this study was to compare serum vitamin D and osteocalcin levels in non-osteoporotic postmenopausal women with and without metabolic syndrome and to analyze the relationship between serum vitamin D and osteocalcin levels and the relationships between these two factors and other clinical/biochemical parameters.

Material and Method This cross-sectional study was carried out in 191 postmenopausal non-osteoporotic (T-score > − 2.5) women. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome. Blood samples were obtained and evaluated for 25-hydroxyvitamin D, osteocalcin, insulin resistance (using a homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA _1c ), calcium, phosphorus, deoxypyridinoline, thyroid-stimulating hormone, lipid profile, fasting insulin, fasting glucose and HbA _1c levels. Demographic and laboratory parameters were recorded for each woman.

Results Vitamin D was found to be lower in women with metabolic syndrome compared to controls (16.1 ± 11.2 vs. 20.4 ± 13.1 mg/dL; p = 0.013). Similarly, osteocalcin was found to be significantly lower in the metabolic syndrome group compared to the control group (4.2 ± 2.1 vs. 5.5 ± 3.0; p < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was observed between vitamin D and osteocalcin levels (r = 0.198; p = 0.008). There was an inverse correlation between vitamin D and some of the lipid parameters. However, osteocalcin levels were negatively correlated with C-reactive protein, insulin resistance, and HbA _1c in both groups (p = 0.003, p = 0.001 and p = 0.048, respectively).

Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency is common in postmenopausal women, even in women who are non-osteoporotic. Serum levels of vitamin D are significantly decreased in cases with metabolic syndrome. Vitamin D may directly improve serum lipid profiles and may indirectly decrease insulin resistance and subclinical systemic inflammation through the impact on the metabolic functions of osteocalcin.

Exploring the link between number of years since menopause and metabolic syndrome among women in rural China: a cross-sectional observational study

The aim of this article was to explore the link between postmenopausal status according to years since menopause (YSM) and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This survey was conducted from January 2012 to August 2013. A total of 6022 women (3511, 58.3% were post-menopause) from Rural Northeast China were randomly selected and examined. The prevalence of the MetS was significantly higher in postmenopausal women (Post-MW) than in premenopausal women (Pre-MW) (55.0% vs. 33.1%, p .001). The risk for MetS in Post-MW increased with the number of YSM, reaching the peak level in the 5- to 9-year group (OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.23-1.96), and then decreased. The 5- to 9-year group had the highest risk of high glucose (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.20-1.83) and high triglycerides (adjusted OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.53-2.41) whereas the risk for abdominal obesity, high BP, and low HDL-C was not significantly associated with the number of YSM. These findings suggested that, in China, Post-MW with 5-9 YSMs had the highest risk of MetS. YSM can be a useful screening tool to identify women at high risk for MetS.

Proteomics in plasma of ovariectomized rats and those exposed to estradiol valerate

The menopausal period, an inevitable physiological process for women, is frequently associated with physiological and psychological dysfunction attributable to substantial fluctuation and gradual decrease in female hormones induced by ovarian failure, leading to corresponding symptoms and diseases that impact multiple systems in the body to varying degrees. As prior studies have focused primarily on menopausal syndrome-related pathophysiological changes and hormone replacement therapy effects, here we approached menopausal disease incidence risk and pathogenesis through systemic plasma proteomics analysis. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham, ovariectomized, and estrogen treatment after ovariectomy groups (n=9 per group). Tandem Mass Tag quantitative proteomics analysis of their plasma identified over 900 proteins by MS. Between group fold change of >1.2 and p<0.05 (Student's t-test) identified 121 (including 36 up-regulated and 85 down-regulated), 117 (69 up-regulated and 48 down-regulated), and 109 (41 up-regulated and 68 down-regulated) differentially expressed proteins between groups, respectively. Of these, 5 (GHR, LIFR, apoA IV, RTN, and Lin28b) were verified by parallel reaction monitoring to be reliable. Further application of optimized screening criteria and performance of a series of bioinformatics analyses allowed the selection of 35 optimal differentially expressed proteins. Gene ontology annotation results suggested that the differentially expressed proteins are mainly annotated as protein binding, cell, and single organism process in terms of molecular function, cell composition, and biological process, respectively. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the PI3-Akt pathway has the highest aggregation degree of differentially expressed proteins. Protein-protein interaction analysis noted GLUT4 as an important node protein. This research is the first to comprehensively analyze plasma protein changes, together with estrogen efficacy, in ovariectomized rats. The findings facilitate our understanding of the molecular mechanism of systemic menopausal changes and provide valuable clues for developing diagnostic biomarkers for menopausal dysfunctions and selecting clinical therapeutic strategies.

Association of metabolic syndrome with various anthropometric and atherogenic parameters in the Kazakh population in China

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the association of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) with various anthropometric and atherogenic parameters in adult Kazakh population in China.

Methods

Four thousand ninety-four Kazakhs were recruited since 2007 to 2010. MetS and its components were confirmed according to IDF criteria. Area under the curve (AUC) of each variable was compared. Sensitivity (Sen), specificity (Spe), shortest distance in receiver’s operating characteristic curve (ROC) and cutoff of each variable to diagnose MetS were calculated.

Results

28.6 % of men and 31.0 % of women had MetS in the Kazakh population. In men, WHtR had the highest AUC value 0.821, followed by BMI (0.801), TG/HDL-C (0.792), WHR (0.776) and BAI (0.666). In women, WHtR also had the highest AUC value (0.835), following by BMI (0.789), WHR (0.778), TG/HDL-C (0.778) and BAI (0.751). WHtR had the shortest ROC distance that was 0.37 and the optimal cutoff was 0.55 in men. In women, WHtR also had the shortest ROC distance of 0.35 and the optimal cutoff was 0.54.

Conclusion

WHtR is the best predictor of MetS in both Kazakh men and women according to the IDF criteria.

Comparison of Anthropometric and Atherogenic Indices as Screening Tools of Metabolic Syndrome in the Kazakh Adult Population in Xinjiang

Objective: To compare the screening ability of various anthropometric and atherogenic indices for Metabolic syndrome (MetS) using three common criteria and to evaluate the validity of suitable parameters in combination for the screening of MetS among a Kazakh population in Xinjiang. Methods: A total of 3752 individuals were selected using the stratified cluster random sampling method from nomadic Kazakhs (≥18 years old) in Xinyuan county, Xinjiang, China, which is approximately 4407 km away from the capital Beijing. MetS was defined by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) and Joint Interim Statement (JIS) criteria. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to compare the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of each index. The sensitivity, specificity, Youden’s index and cut-offs of each index for the screening of MetS were calculated. Results: According to the IDF, ATP III and JIS criteria, 18.61%, 10.51%, and 24.83% of males and 23.25%, 14.88%, and 25.33% of females had MetS. According to the IDF criteria, the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was the index that most accurately identified individuals with and without MetS both in males (AUC = 0.872) and females (AUC = 0.804), with the optimal cut-offs of 0.53 and 0.52, respectively. According to both the ATP III and JIS criteria, the lipid accumulation product (LAP) was the best index to discriminate between individuals with and without MetS in males (AUC = 0.856 and 0.816, respectively) and females (AUC = 0.832 and 0.788, respectively), with optimal cut-offs of 41.21 and 34.76 in males and 28.16 and 26.49 in females, respectively. On the basis of the IDF standard, Youden’s indices of WHtR and LAP serial tests for the screening of MetS were 0.590 and 0.455 in males and females, respectively, and those of WHtR and LAP parallel tests were 0.608 and 0.479, accordingly. Conclusion: According to the IDF, ATP III and JIS criteria, both the WHtR and LAP were better indices for the screening of MetS. The WHtR and LAP parallel test was the most accurate.

Waist-to-Height Ratio and Triglycerides/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Were the Optimal Predictors of Metabolic Syndrome in Uighur Men and Women in Xinjiang, China

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify the best single predictor of metabolic syndrome by comparing the predictive ability of various anthropometric and atherogenic parameters among a Uighur population in Xinjiang, northwest China.

METHODS

A total of 4767 Uighur participants were selected from the Cardiovascular Risk Survey (CRS), which was carried out from October, 2007, to March, 2010. Anthropometric data, blood pressure, serum concentration of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and fasting glucose were documented. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its individual components were confirmed according to International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of each variable for the presence of metabolic syndrome was compared. The sensitivity (Sen), specificity (Spe), distance in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and cutoffs of each variable for the presence of metabolic syndrome were calculated.

RESULTS

In all, 23.7% of men had the metabolic syndrome, whereas 40.1% of women had the metabolic syndrome in a Uighur population in Xinjiang; the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in women was significantly higher than that in men (P<0.001). In men, the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) had the highest AUC value (AUC=0.838); it was followed by TGs/HDL-C (AUC=0.826), body mass index (BMI) (AUC=0.812), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (AUC=0.781), and body adiposity index (BAI) (AUC=0.709). In women, the TGs/HDL-C had the highest AUC value (AUC=0.815); it was followed by WHtR (AUC=0.780), WHR (AUC=0.730), BMI (AUC=0.719), and BAI (AUC=0.699). Similarly, among all five anthropometric and atherogenic parameters, the WHtR had the shortest ROC distance of 0.32 (Sen=85.40%, Spe=71.6%), and the optimal cutoff for WHtR was 0.55 in men. In women, TGs/HDL-C had the shortest ROC distance of 0.35 (Sen=75.29%, Spe=75.18%), and the optimal cutoff of TGs/HDL-C was 1.22.

CONCLUSION

WHtR was the best predictor of metabolic syndrome in Uighur men, whereas TGs/HDL-C was the best predictor of metabolic syndrome in Uighur women in Xinjiang.

The 60- and 70-kDa heat-shock proteins and their correlation with cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome

We investigated the association between circulating levels of 60 and 70 kDa heat-shock proteins (HSP60 and 70) and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women with or without metabolic syndrome (MetS). This cross-sectional study included 311 Brazilian women (age ≥45 years with amenorrhea ≥12 months). Women showing three or more of the following diagnostic criteria were diagnosed with MetS: waist circumference (WC) ≥88 cm, blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg, triglycerides ≥150 mg/dl, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) <50 mg/dl, and glucose ≥100 mg/dl. Clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical parameters were collected. HSP60, HSP70, antibodies to HSP60 and HSP70, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured in serum. Student's t test, Kruskal-Wallis test, chi-square test, and Pearson correlation were used for statistical analysis. Of the 311 women, 30.9 % (96/311) were diagnosed with MetS. These women were, on average, obese with abdominal fat deposition and had lower HDL values as well as higher triglycerides and glucose levels. Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistant (HOMA-IR) test values in these women were compatible with insulin resistance (P < 0.05). CRP and HSP60 concentrations were higher in women with MetS than in women without MetS (P < 0.05). HSP60, anti-HSP70, and CRP concentrations increased with the number of features indicative of MetS (P < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between anti-HSP70 and WC, blood pressure and HOMA-IR, and between CRP and WC, blood pressure, glucose, HOMA-IR, and triglycerides (P < 0.05). In postmenopausal women, serum HSP60 and anti-HSP70 concentrations increased with accumulating features of the metabolic syndrome. These results suggest a greater immune activation that is associated with cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.

Diabetes-ameliorating effects of fermented red ginseng and causal effects on hormonal interactions: testing the hypothesis by multiple group path analysis

Although diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome (MtS) vary among various health professionals and organizations, blood glucose dysregulation and insulin resistance are common to all definitions. Red ginseng is beneficial for glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity but the mechanism is not yet elucidated. Ginsenosides Rh1 and Rg3 act as ligands of the estrogen receptor, and Rh2 and compound K act as ligands of the glucocorticoid receptors, which may influence the diabetes markers. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that there are significant causal relationships among diabetes-related markers and several hormones, and assess whether or not the consumption of fermented red ginseng (FRG) influences these causal relationships by multiple group path analysis and conventional statistical analyses. The 93 postmenopausal women were randomly divided into two groups for a double-blind trial. FRG powder and placebo were provided for 2 weeks. The data were analyzed by multiple group path analysis and the mean between groups were compared. The model's goodness of fit was excellent, with a root mean square error of approximation of 0.00, and comparative fit index of 1.00. The FRG group exhibited significantly increased levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), growth hormone (GH), and estradiol (E2), and they exhibited decreased levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance. With regard to the hypothesis, the blood glucose lowering effects of FRG were due to the negative effects of aldosterone and increased GH, which was associated with DHEAS and E2. Even though the differences of variables between both groups were small, the total effects of these variables may indicate beneficial changes for the prevention of diabetes in healthy postmenopausal women.

The metabolic syndrome among postmenopausal women in rural Canton: prevalence, associated factors, and the optimal obesity and atherogenic indices

Objectives

This research aimed to (i) determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components; (ii) assess factors associated with MetS, and (iii) define optimal ethnic-specific cutoffs of obesity- and atherogenic-based markers to predict MetS among postmenopausal women in rural Canton.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The Rural Canton Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Study, a population based cross-sectional study, was conducted during 2011–2012 in Canton. In person interviews, blood glucose and lipid measurements were completed for 4,706 postmenopausal women who did not receive hormone replacement therapy. MetS was diagnosed using criteria of the Joint-Interim-Statement (JIS), the International-Diabetes-Federation (IDF) and the Modified-Third-Adult-Treatment-Panel (M-ATPIII). Age-standardized prevalence of MetS was 38.4%, 28.8%, and 37.1% according to JIS, IDF, and M-ATPIII criteria, respectively. Excellent agreement was observed between three definitions (κ≥0.79), in particular between JIS and ATPIII (κ = 0.98, 95%CI: 0.97–0.98). Factors positively associated with MetS were living in Southern Canton, personal income, current smoking, higher BMI, and family history of cardiovascular disease. However, regular leisure-time physical activity can have protective effects. The optimal cutoff values for waist-circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio(WHtR), BMI, HDL-cholesterol to total cholesterol ratio (HDL/TC), HDL-cholesterol to LDL-cholesterol ratio (HDL/LDL), and triglyceride to HDL-cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL) that predicted the presence of MetS were 79.5 cm, 0.86, 0.53, 22.47 kg/m², 0.33, 0.68, and 0.88, respectively.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of MetS among postmenopausal women in rural Canton. Our findings contribute to help selecting Cantonese-specific markers to predict MetS and support the need to establish educational program for promoting healthy-lifestyles among this population.

Relationship between serum uric acid levels and metabolic syndrome in Chinese postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

Serum uric acid levels have been reported to be associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, few studies specifically examining the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and MetS in postmenopausal women have been reported in China. Thus, we conducted this study in order to assess the relationship between SUA levels and MetS in Chinese postmenopausal women.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 1022 Chinese postmenopausal women (aged 42-80 years) who participated in annual health check-ups was employed. MetS was defined by National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III criteria (NCEP-ATP III). Of all the participants, 385 women were diagnosed with MetS (MetS group) and the others were without MetS (non-MetS group). SUA quartiles were defined as follows: Q1, < 3.9 mg/dl; Q2, 3.9-4.5 mg/dl; Q3, 4.6-5.1 mg/dl; Q4, 5.2-6.0 mg/dl. The association between SUA quartiles and MetS was assessed using binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

The adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for the presence of metabolic syndrome in the highest SUA quartile vs. the lowest quartile was 3.768 (2.386-5.950) for all women (p < 0.01) after adjusting for age, body mass index, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and C-reactive protein. The presence of MetS significantly increased in the second, third and fourth quartiles of SUA. The prevalence of MetS increased gradually with an increasing serum uric acid quartile (p for trend < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Higher SUA levels are positively and independently associated with the presence of MetS in Chinese postmenopausal women.

Metabolic syndrome and menopause

Background

The metabolic syndrome is defined as an assemblage of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, and menopause is associated with an increase in metabolic syndrome prevalence. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components among postmenopausal women in Tehran, Iran.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study in menopause clinic in Tehran, 118 postmenopausal women were investigated. We used the adult treatment panel 3 (ATP3) criteria to classify subjects as having metabolic syndrome.

Results

Total prevalence of metabolic syndrome among our subjects was 30.1%. Waist circumference, HDL-cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, diastolic blood pressure ,Systolic blood pressure, and triglyceride were significantly higher among women with metabolic syndrome (P-value<0.05). Our study shows high abdominal obesity and hypertension are the most prevalent components of metabolic syndrome. 15%, 13.3% and 1.8% of subjects had three, four and five criteria for metabolic syndrome, respectively. There was a significant relationship between number of components of metabolic syndrome and waist circumference.

Conclusions

Our study shows that postmenopausal status is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. Therefore, to prevent cardiovascular disease there is a need to evaluate metabolic syndrome and its components from the time of the menopause.

Prediction of metabolic syndrome among postmenopausal Ghanaian women using obesity and atherogenic markers

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an important health problem which puts individuals at risk for cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes as well as obesity-related cancers such as colon and renal cell in men, and endometrial and oesophageal in women.

OBJECTIVE

This study was aimed at examining how obesity indicators and related determinants influence metabolic syndrome, and how the factors can be used to predict the syndrome and its cut-offs in postmenopausal Ghanaian women.

METHODS

Two hundred and fifty (250) Ghanaian subjects were involved in the study with one hundred and forty-three (143) being premenopausal women and one hundred and seven (107) postmenopausal women. The influence of traditional metabolic risk factors including high blood pressure, dyslipidemia and glucose intolerance on obesity and atherogenic indices i.e. body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), Waist-to-thigh ratio (WTR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), high density lipoprotein cholesterol to total cholesterol ratio (HDL-C/TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol to low density lipoprotein ratio (HDL-C/LDL-C) and triglyceride to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) were identified according to the Harmonization (H_MS) criterion.

RESULTS

The predominant anthropometric marker that significantly influence metabolic risk factors among the pre- and postmenopausal women was waist-to-hip ratio (premenopausal: p- 0.004, 0.026 and 0.002 for systolic blood pressure (SBP), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and HDL-C; postmenopausal: p-0.012, 0.048, 0.007 and 0.0061 for diastolic blood pressure (DBP), FBG, triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) respectively). Using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the area under the curve for WC, WHR, TG/HDL-C and HDL-C/TC among postmenopausal women were estimated at 0.6, 0.6, 0.8 and 0.8 respectively. The appropriate cut-off values for WC, WHR, TG/HDL-C and HDL-C/TC that predicted the presence of metabolic syndrome were 80.5 cm, 0.84, 0.61 and 0.34 respectively.

CONCLUSION

The presence of metabolic syndrome among Ghanaian postmenopausal women can be predicted using WC, WHR, TG/HDL-C and HDL-C/TC.

Daidzein improves insulin resistance in ovariectomized rats

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether daidzein improves insulin resistance by modifying weight gain, visceral fat accumulation, blood lipids and serum cytokines levels in ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-eight 12-week-old female rats were divided into three groups: the sham-operated group (SHAM) (n =10), the ovariectomized group receiving daidzein therapy (DAID) (n =10), and the ovariectomized control group (Control) (n =8). The rats in the DAID group received 50 mg/kg daidzein via gavage daily. Weight and food intake were recorded every 2 weeks. All of the animals were euthanized 12 weeks after ovariectomy, after which their fasting insulin, glucose, blood lipids, estradiol, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), adiponectin and leptin levels were measured.

RESULTS

After 12 weeks, the ovariectomized rats demonstrated an increase in their body weight and visceral fat; compared to the SHAM rats, the ovariectomized rats also experienced a significant increase in their serum IL-6 levels and insulin resistance, which was calculated using the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p <0.05). Daidzein therapy decreased weight gain, visceral fat, the HOMA-IR index and IL-6 levels that were induced by ovariectomy. Rats which had received daidzein therapy had lower levels of TNF-α, leptin and blood lipids (except for high density lipoprotein cholesterol) than the other two groups. IL-6 levels positively correlated with the HOMA-IR index in all of the rats after adjustment for body weight (r =0.495; p =0.016).

CONCLUSION

We conclude that daidzein can improve insulin resistance induced by ovariectomy by decreasing weight gain, visceral fat accumulation, blood lipids, TNF-α, leptin and IL-6 levels.

The Metabolic Syndrome among Postmenopausal Women in Gorgan

Introduction. The present study aimed to assess the metabolic syndrome among postmenopausal women in Gorgan, Iran. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted on hundred postmenopausal women who were referred to the health centers in Gorgan. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) guidelines. Results. The mean body mass index, waist circumference, hip, circumference waist-to-hip ratio, diastolic blood pressure, and triglyceride and fasting blood glucose levels were significantly high among postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome, but the mean HDL-cholesterol was significantly low (P < 0.05). Overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 31%. Body mass index and waist circumference had a positive correlation with a number of metabolic syndrome factors (P < 0.001). Body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio had a positive correlation with each other (P < 0.001). BMI had relatively high correlation with WC (P < 0.001). Conclusions. Our results show that postmenopausal status might be a predictor of metabolic syndrome. Low HDL-cholesterol level and high abdominal obesity are the most frequent characteristics in comparison to other metabolic components. Our study also showed some related factors of metabolic syndrome among postmenopausal women. These factors may increase cardiovascular risk among postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Chinese postmenopausal women and the optimum body composition indices to predict it

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Chinese postmenopausal women and explore the optimum body composition indices to predict MetS.

METHODS

Participants were independent, community-dwelling women. Recruitment occurred through advertisements in newspapers and flyers posted in the local community. A total of 181 postmenopausal women were recruited. Their parameters were measured, including body height, weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference, sagittal abdominal diameter, blood pressure, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, and body fat (BF; %). Logistic regression analyses were applied for correlation between stated variables. Optimization of body composition indices to predict MetS in postmenopausal women was analyzed with the area under the curve of the receiver.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MetS in postmenopausal women was 33.7%. The risk factors of MetS in postmenopausal women were age, family history of metabolic disorders (obesity, hypertension, hyperlipemia, and diabetes mellitus), body composition indices (body mass index [BMI], WC, waist-to-hip ratio, sagittal abdominal diameter, and BF), and metabolic indices (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, and triglyceride; odds ratio > 1, P < 0.05), and the protective factor is high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (odds ratio = 0.114, P < 0.05). All body composition indices in our study had a positive correlation with number of MetS factors. The body composition indices in our study showed a positive correlation with each other (P < 0.001). BMI and WC were highly correlated with BF (r > 0.900, P < 0.001). Through receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, it was determined that body composition indices (WC, 80.75 cm; BF, 36.695%; sagittal abdominal diameter, 18.35 cm; or BMI, 24.835 kg/m) could be used to predict MetS.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of MetS in Chinese postmenopausal women is 33.7%. Body composition indices (WC > or = 80.75 cm, BF > or = 36.695%, sagittal abdominal diameter > or = 18.35 cm, or BMI > or = 24.835 kg/m) were discovered to predict MetS.

Relationships between contraction properties of knee extensor muscles and fasting IGF-1 and adipocytokines in physically active postmenopausal women

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to find possible relationships between insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), adipocytokines (leptin and adiponectin) and twitch contraction (TC) characteristics of the knee extensor (KE) muscles in healthy physically active postmenopausal women (n = 28, 64-78 years old). We hypothesized that IGF-1 is related at least to isometric TC peak torque (Pt) as the highest value of isometric torque production and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque, and there will not be any relationships between TC characteristics and leptin and adiponectin. During the measurement of MVC torque and twitch contractile properties of KE muscles, the subjects sat in a custom-made dynamometric chair with the knee and hip angles equal to 90 degrees and 100 degrees, respectively. To assess the contractile properties of the KE muscles, electrically evoked isometric twitch was elicited by percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Serum leptin, adiponectin, IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and insulin were determined. There were a very few significant relationships between the measured muscle contractile parameters and fasting blood hormones. TC Pt correlated significantly with IGFBP-3 (r = 0.652, P = 0.001) and insulin (r = 0.495, P = 0.007). In conclusion, this study suggests that only TC peak torque correlated positively with serum fasting IGFBP-3 and insulin concentration. Adipocytokines leptin and adiponectin not correlated significantly with measured strength parameters in physically active postmenopausal women.

Smoking cessation, alcohol intake and transient increase in the risk of metabolic syndrome among Japanese smokers at one health checkup institution

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is potentially effective measures to identify individuals at risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 diabetes. To verify the hypothesis that smoking cessation may increase the risk of MetS, a follow-up study taking drinking habit into account was conducted for the examinees at one health checkup institution.

METHODS

Subjects were the examinees who visited the Institution for Disease Prevention and Health Checkup, Seirei Mikatabara Hospital for annual health checkup from January 2003 to December 2006. Among them, 5,872 smokers (5,479 men, 93.3%) free from MetS at the first year in two consecutive years were selected. For the long term follow-up, the risk of MetS among those who maintained their nonsmoking status for 1 or 2 additional years was evaluated.

RESULTS

Relative to non-quitters, quitters showed a significantly elevated adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of MetS in two consecutive years (aHR = 2.09, 95% confidence interval: 1.43-3.04, P < 0.001). The aHR was higher among the quitters who had a drinking habit at the first year (aHR = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.48-3.94, P < 0.001). Analyses for 1 or 2 additional years of follow-up revealed that this significant increase in risk of MetS was transient.

CONCLUSION

The present study revealed that smoking cessation elevated the risk of MetS significantly, especially among drinkers. Although this detrimental effect of smoking cessation was found to be during only a short term, our results suggested that we should take measures, presumably including interventions for alcohol cessation, not to expose smoking quitters to this adverse effect. Further investigations are required to confirm our findings.