Comparison of soft tissue body composition in postmenopausal women with or without hormone replacement therapy considering the influence of reproductive history and lifestyle

Review of menopausal hormone therapy with estradiol and progesterone versus other estrogens and progestins

Objective: The objective of the present document was to review/summarize reported outcomes compared between menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) containing estradiol (E2) versus other estrogens and MHT with progesterone (P4) versus progestins (defined as synthetic progestogens).Methods: PubMed and EMBASE were systematically searched through February 2021 for studies comparing oral E2 versus oral conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) or P4 versus progestins for endometrial outcomes, venous thromboembolism (VTE), cardiovascular outcomes, breast outcomes, cognition, and bone outcomes in postmenopausal women.Results: A total of 74 comparative publications were identified/summarized. Randomized studies suggested that P4 and progestins are likely equally effective in preventing endometrial hyperplasia/cancer when used at adequate doses. E2- versus CEE-based MHT had a similar or possibly better risk profile for VTE and cardiovascular outcomes, and P4- versus progestin-based MHT had a similar or possibly better profile for breast cancer and cardiovascular outcomes. E2 may potentially protect better against age-related cognitive decline and bone fractures versus CEE; P4 was similar or possibly better versus progestins for these outcomes. Limitations are that many studies were observational and some were not adequately powered for the reported outcomes.Conclusions: Evidence suggests a differential effect of MHT containing E2 or P4 and those containing CEE or progestins, with some evidence trending to a potentially better safety profile with E2 and/or P4.

Regulatory aspects of myogenic factors GDF-8 and Follistatin on the intake of combined oral contraceptives

Combined oral contraceptives are one of the most prescribed drugs in the western world. While there is little evidence regarding effects of estrogen or gestagens on muscle metabolism, androgens are well-known for their anabolic characteristics. In this study, we seeked to investigate potential correlations of the myokines GDF-8, IGF-1 and Follistatin with female sexual hormones and likewise possible interactions with combined oral contraceptives (Dienogest and Ethyl Estradiol) intake. We obtained serum samples of young healthy women to measure hormone correlations. Furthermore, we simulated combined oral contraceptive blood circulating hormone concentrations to identify myogenic effects on HSkM in vitro. GDF-8, IGF-1 and Follistatin showed concentration correlations (p = .005) in overall patients' serum, while Follistatin as a promyogenic protein additionally showed a positive correlation with testosterone and estradiol (p < .05). Lower GDF-8 levels were also linked to a higher BMI (p = .009). Upon combined oral contraceptives (COC) intake, patients showed decreased GDF-8 (p = .006) but increased Follistatin (p = .0001) concentrations compared to patients without COC intake. In vitro, addition of Ethyl Estradiol and Dienogest to HSkM cells revealed a pro-myogenic, proliferative, chemosensitized pattern. Our data support a pro-myogenic effect of combined oral contraceptives.

Postmenopausal obesity: 12,500 steps per day as a remedy? Relationships between body composition and daily steps in postmenopausal women

INTRODUCTION

To verify relationships between physical activity (steps per day) and obesity (components of body composition) among postmenopausal women.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Physical activity (ActiGraph GT1M accelerometer; worn for 7 days) and obesity (body composition analyzer InBody 720) were assessed among 79 healthy postmenopausal women (age 63.25 ± 5.51 years; range: 51-81 years). In order to determine differences in body composition in women with different levels of physical activity, one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted, with age of participants as a covariate.

RESULTS

Significant intergroup differences in almost all analyzed components of the body composition (weight, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, visceral fat area, body fat mass and percent of body fat) were obtained. Highly active women (≥ 12,500 steps/day) had lower weight and adiposity parameters than those that represented low (< 7,500 steps/day) or somewhat active (7,500-9,999 steps/day) groups. Besides, a noteworthy difference between active (10,000-12,499 steps/day) and low active women was recorded. Noticeably, only in the most active group was the BMI within normal ranges.

CONCLUSIONS

The higher physical activity, the lower obesity in postmenopausal women. The recommended 10,000 steps/day seems insufficient for this age group. Based on the obtained results, postmenopausal women should walk at least 12,500 steps per day to improve their health.

Body fat distribution is associated with lumbar spine bone density independently of body weight in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between the body fat distribution and axial bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with or without hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional population-based study.

SETTING

University of Eastern Finland, Bone and Cartilage Research Unit, Kuopio, Finland.

POPULATION

198 postmenopausal women, mean age 67.5 (1.9 SD), mean BMI 27.1 (3.9 SD).

METHODS

Regional body composition and BMD assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA, Prodigy).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Spinal and Femoral BMD.

RESULTS

Out of the body composition parameters, FM was the main determinant of postmenopausal bone mass. Only the lumbar spine (L2-L4) BMD, not the femoral neck BMD, was positively associated with the trunk FM. Positive trends for association were revealed between the spinal BMD and the trunk FM regardless of the use of HRT. Adjustments did not change the results.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher trunk fat mass was associated with the spinal BMD, but not with the hip BMD in postmenopausal women, irrespective of the HRT use. In addition to biological factors, uncertainties related to DXA measurements in patients with varying body mass may contribute to this phenomenon.

Effects of combined female sex hormone replacement therapy on body fat percentage and distribution

The effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy for patients with cardiovascular disease and for postmenopausal women with associated cardiovascular risks is currently under wide investigation. Among the cardiovascular risks are those related to body fat percentage and distribution. The present study undertook to investigate the effects of combined hormone replacement therapy on body fat percentage and distribution in postmenopausal women. Data for the present study were collected via retrospective analyses of 287 healthy postmenopausal women (146 as a study group, 141 as controls). Participants in the study group received 0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogen combined with 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate per day for 18 months. Body fat percentage and fat distribution were evaluated through the electrical impedance method and measurements of skinfold thickness, respectively. Two indices of centripetal fat distribution were defined: ratio of trunk-to-extremity skinfold thickness (T/E index), and ratio of upper-to-lower body skinfold thickness (U/L index). Investigators found that a daily dose of 0.625 mg of conjugated equine estrogen combined with 2.5 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate taken for 18 months increased body fat percentage by decreasing lean body mass and by affecting upper-to-lower body fat distribution, without producing significant changes in overall weight. A slight decrease in the trunk-to-extremity body fat ratio was noted at 18 months of treatment, but this decrease did not reach statistical significance. Data related to the effects of hormone replacement therapy on body fat percentage and distribution in postmenopausal women are scarce. Additional research is needed to clarify the possible health benefits of hormone replacement therapy.

Soy isoflavones, body composition, and physical performance

OBJECTIVES

Physiologic changes, occurring during the process of aging, can have serious health consequences, such as increased risk of chronic disease and disability. Decline in estradiol levels after menopause is hypothesized to contribute to this risk. Thus, hormone therapy (HT) might prevent or delay those changes. However, HT has serious side effects and alternative approaches are needed.

METHODS

We performed a 12-month double-blind randomized trial comparing soy protein containing 99mg isoflavones (aglycone weights) with milk protein (placebo) daily in 202 postmenopausal women aged 60-75 years. Endpoints were body composition, and physical performance. Randomization resulted in reasonable well-balanced groups, 153 (76%) women completed the trial. Compliance was good (plasma genistein levels 55 +/- 101 and 1259 +/- 1610 nmol/L for placebo and soy group, respectively). The changes in the endpoints during the intervention period among the two intervention groups were analyzed.

RESULTS

Body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio did not change during intervention. Handgrip strength at the final visit was slightly worse in the soy group compared to the placebo group (-0.45 kg (95% C.I.: -2.5, 1.6 kg; p = 0.7), but this difference was not statistically significant. Self-reported functional status, mobility and physical performance, all slightly improved during intervention but there were no differences between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present trial do not support the view that soy isoflavones have favorable effects on body composition and physical performance in postmenopausal women.

Postmenopausal hormone therapy and body composition--a substudy of the estrogen plus progestin trial of the Women's Health Initiative

BACKGROUND

It has been suggested that hormone therapy may help counter undesirable changes in body composition in older women.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to test whether estrogen plus progestin (E+P) therapy favorably affects age-related changes in body composition in postmenopausal women.

DESIGN

The substudy was composed of 835 women from the estrogen plus progestin trial of the Women's Health Initiative who were randomly assigned to receive either E+P therapy (n = 437) or placebo (n = 398). The women had a mean age of 63.1 y and, on average, were 13.8 y past menopause. More than 17% of the participants were from an ethnic minority. No significant differences in baseline body composition (measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) by intervention assignment were observed.

RESULTS

After 3 y of intervention, the women who received active E+P therapy lost less lean soft tissue mass (-0.04 kg) than did the women who received placebo (-0.44 kg; P = 0.001). Additionally, the women in the E+P group had less upper-body fat distribution than did the women in the placebo group (change in ratio of trunk to leg fat mass: -0.025 for the E+P group and 0.004 for the placebo group; P = 0.003). A sensitivity analysis, which was conducted on the women who took > or = 80% of the study medication during the intervention period, corroborated the findings from the intent-to-treat analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

A 3-y E+P intervention significantly reduced both the loss of lean soft tissue mass and the ratio of trunk to leg fat mass in postmenopausal women. However, the effect sizes were small, and whether these changes in body composition lead to significant health benefits remains to be confirmed.

Body mass index does not influence response to treatment, nor does body weight change with lower doses of conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate in early postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of lower doses of conjugated estrogens (CE) alone or in combination with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) on body weight and to evaluate the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the effect of lower-dose CE or CE/MPA on vasomotor symptoms, vaginal atrophy, bone mineral density (BMD), endometrial safety, and side effects such as endometrial bleeding and breast pain.

DESIGN

In this large clinical trial [the Women's Health, Osteoporosis, Progestin, Estrogen (Women's HOPE) study], 2,673 healthy, postmenopausal women with intact uteri were randomized for 1 year of CE 0.625, CE 0.625/MPA 2.5, CE 0.45, CE 0.45/MPA 2.5, CE 0.45/MPA 1.5, CE 0.3, CE 0.3/MPA 1.5 (all doses mg/d), or placebo. Weight, BMI, number and severity of hot flushes, vaginal atrophy (as determined by the vaginal maturation index), bleeding profiles, breast pain, and endometrial biopsies were evaluated. A subset of 822 women was randomized into a 2-year substudy to evaluate changes in BMD with lower-dose CE or CE/MPA regimens.

RESULTS

After 1 year of treatment, a small but significant (P < 0.05) gain in body weight from baseline was observed in all arms of the study, the largest increase in body weight occurring in the placebo group [1.15 +/- 0.21 (SE) kg]. Body mass index had no significant effect on changes from baseline for vasomotor symptoms, bleeding patterns, vaginal atrophy, BMD, endometrial safety, or breast pain when analyzed both by analysis of covariance with baseline BMI as covariate or when participants were grouped into BMI less than 25 kg/m and BMI of 25 kg/m or greater. In placebo-treated women, vaginal atrophy was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in women with a BMI less than 25 kg/m compared with a BMI of 25 kg/m or greater.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower- and standard-dose regimens of CE or CE/MPA are not associated with greater weight gain than placebo. In addition, BMI does not seem to influence effects of these regimens on vasomotor symptoms, vaginal atrophy, bleeding profiles, BMD, endometrial safety, or breast pain.

Body composition and muscle performance during menopause and hormone replacement therapy

Menopausal transition is characterized by ovarian failure and its consequent decrease in female sex steroid production. Earlier studies suggest that an increase and redistribution of body fat during menopause predispose women to cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. In addition, peri- and post-menopausal women seem to have less lean body mass (LBM) compared with pre-menopausal women. Accordingly, a changing ovarian hormonal status may accelerate the loss of muscle mass and result in decreased muscle performance and functional capacity. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been used to treat menopausal symptoms and as a primary prevention therapy in chronic conditions. Inconsistent findings have, however, been published on the effects of HRT on body composition in post-menopausal women. Some studies clearly suggest that HRT counteracts menopause-related changes in body composition whereas others fail to show any difference between post-menopausal HRT users and abstainers. Although cross-sectional studies show conflicting results concerning the association between HRT and muscle performance, experimental trials suggest that deterioration in muscle force during menopause can be prevented by HRT. In the future, longitudinal data need to be collected to confirm changes in body composition and muscle performance during menopausal transition irrespective of age. Although HRT seems to have beneficial effects on body composition and muscle performance in healthy post-menopausal women, there is considerable variation in the effects of HRT between different studies. The underlying mechanism of HRT action on muscle performance is still unclear.