Relationship between lymphocytes, IL2 and the hormones E2, LH, PRG and FSH in menopausal and postmenopausal women

PI3K-AKT Signaling Activation and Icariin: The Potential Effects on the Perimenopausal Depression-Like Rat Model

Icariin is a prenylated flavonol glycoside isolated from Epimedium herb, and has been shown to be its main bioactive component. Recently, the antidepressant-like mechanism of icariin has been increasingly evaluated and demonstrated. However, there are few studies that have focused on the involvement of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/serine-threonine protein kinase (AKT) signaling in mediating the perimenopausal depression effects of icariin. Perimenopausal depression is a chronic recurrent disease that leads to an increased risk of suicide, and poses a significant risk to public health. The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of icariin on the expression of the PI3K-AKT pathway related to proteins in a rat model of perimenopausal depression. Eighty percent of the left ovary and the entire right ovary were removed from the model rats. A perimenopausal depression model was created through 18 days of chronic unpredictable stimulation, followed by the gavage administration of target drugs for 30 consecutive days. We found that icariin administered at various doses significantly improved the apparent symptoms in the model rats, increased the organ indices of the uterus, spleen, and thymus, and improved the pathological changes in the ovaries. Moreover, icariin administration elevated the serum levels of female hormone estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), and interleukin (IL)-2, decreased those of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteotropic hormone (LH), promoted the expression levels of estrogen receptor (ER) and ERα in the hypothalamus, and increased those of serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and noradrenaline (NA) in the brain homogenate. Furthermore, icariin elevated the expression levels of AKT, phosphorylation-akt (p-AKT), PI3K (110 kDa), PI3K (85 kDa), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) in the ovaries, and inhibited those of Bax. These results show that icariin administration rebalanced the disordered sex hormones in perimenopausal depression rats, regulated the secretion of neurotransmitters in the brain, boosted immune function, and improved the perimenopausal syndrome. The mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of the expression of PI3K-AKT pathway-related proteins.

Intake of Novel Red Clover Supplementation for 12 Weeks Improves Bone Status in Healthy Menopausal Women

Objective. To investigate the effect by which daily consumption of a novel red clover (RC) extract influences bone health, inflammatory status, and cardiovascular health in healthy menopausal women. Design. A 12-week randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial involving 60 menopausal women receiving a daily dose of 150 mL RC extract containing 37.1 mg isoflavones (33.8 mg as aglycones) or placebo. Methods. Bone parameters were changes in bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and T-score at the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Bone turnover (CTx) and inflammatory markers were measured in plasma and finally blood pressure (BP) was evaluated. Results. RC extract had positive effect on bone health, and only the women receiving the placebo experienced a decline in BMD (p < 0.01) at the lumbar spine. T-score at the lumbar spine only decreased in the placebo group (p < 0.01). CTx decreased in the RC group with -9.94 (±4.93)%, although not significant. Conclusion. Daily consumption of RC extract over a 12-week period was found to have a beneficial effect on bone health in menopausal women based on BMD and T-score at the lumbar spine and plasma CTx levels. No changes in BP or inflammation markers were found and no side effects were observed.

Proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine changes related to menopause

The aim of the study

The aim of the study was to determine menopause-related changes in serum levels of main proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Material and methods

The study included 175 women, who were divided into 5 study groups (group 1 – fertile women; group 2 – pre- and perimenopausal women; group 3 – postmenopausal women; group 4 – surgically induced menopausal women; group 5 – women with chronic inflammatory pathology). We evaluated the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, IL-20 and of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α with the use of two multiplex cytokine kits. We also determined the serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), 17β-estradiol (17β-E2), progesterone (P), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) using sandwich ELISA.

Results

The serum level of IL-1β, IL-8 and TNF-α in women with natural menopause and in women with surgically induced menopause is significantly higher than in fertile women in the control group. In patients with surgically induced menopause and in women with natural menopause, IL-8 serum levels are similar to those seen in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases. There is a statistically significant decrease in serum levels of IL-20 in women with natural or surgical menopause than in fertile and premenopausal women.

Conclusions

Women in menopause have elevated levels of the key proinflammatory cytokines, i.e. IL-1β, IL-8 and TNF-α and low serum levels of IL-20 in comparison with fertile women.