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Dearing C, Sanford E, Olmstead N, Morano R, Wulsin L, Myers B. Sex-specific cardiac remodeling in aged rats after adolescent chronic stress: associations with endocrine and metabolic factors. Biol Sex Differ 2024; 15:65. [PMID: 39180122 PMCID: PMC11342553 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-024-00639-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. Rates of cardiovascular disease vary both across the lifespan and between sexes. While multiple factors, including adverse life experiences, impact the development and progression of cardiovascular disease, the potential interactions of biological sex and stress history on the aged heart are unknown. To this end, we examined sex- and stress-specific impacts on left ventricular hypertrophy (VH) after aging. We hypothesized that early-life chronic stress exposure impacts behavioral and physiologic responses that predict cardiac remodeling in a sex-specific manner. METHODS Histological analysis was conducted on hearts of male and female rats previously exposed to chronic variable stress during the late adolescent period (postnatal days 43-62). These animals were challenged with a forced swim test and a glucose tolerance test before aging to 15 months and again being challenged. Predictive analyses were then used to isolate factors that relate to cardiac remodeling among these groups. RESULTS Early-life chronic stress impacted cardiac remodeling in a sex-specific manner. Among rats with a history of chronic stress, females had increased concentric VH. However, there were few associations within the female groups among individual behavioral and physiologic parameters and cardiac remodeling. While males as a group did not have VH after chronic stress, they exhibited multiple individual associations with cardiac susceptibility. Passive coping in young males and active coping in aged males related to VH in a stress history-dependent manner. Moreover, baseline corticosterone positively correlated with VH in unstressed males, while chronically-stressed males had positive correlations between VH and visceral adiposity. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that females as a group are uniquely susceptible to the effects of early-life stress on cardiac remodeling later in life. Conversely, males have more individual differences in vulnerability, where susceptibility to cardiac remodeling relates to endocrine, metabolic, and behavioral measures depending on stress history. These results ultimately support a framework for assessing cardiovascular risk based on biological sex and prior adverse experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carley Dearing
- Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Ella Sanford
- Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - Rachel Morano
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Lawson Wulsin
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Brent Myers
- Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
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Lund CI, Rosseland LA, Steingrímsdóttir ÓA, Engdahl BL, Stubhaug A, Furberg AS, Nielsen CS. How is age at menopause and reproductive lifespan associated with chronic pain outcomes in postmenopausal women? Pain 2024:00006396-990000000-00666. [PMID: 39058956 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Female sex is a prominent risk factor for chronic pain, although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between age at menopause, reproductive lifespan, and chronic pain in a sample of postmenopausal women aged 40 to 93 years. Data were collected from the Tromsø study conducted in Norway between 2015 and 2016 (Tromsø7). Chronic pain was assessed using a single question, which formed a sample size of 5741 participants. Chronic widespread pain was evaluated using the more comprehensive Graphical Index of Pain, resulting in a sample size of 5920 women. Premenopausal women and those who experienced menstrual cessation due to chemotherapy/radiation or hormonal intrauterine devices were excluded from the analysis. Adjusted relative risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine associations. The results showed that early menopause was associated with a 1% increase in the prevalence of chronic pain for each year of earlier onset at menopause (0.992, CI 95% 0.985-0.998). This association was also observed in women who experienced natural menopause only. However, the association between menopause and chronic widespread pain did not reach statistical significance in the fully adjusted analysis (0.996, CI 95% 0.975-1.017). There were no significant associations found between reproductive lifespan and either outcome. In conclusion, the findings suggest that early menopause in postmenopausal women is linked to a higher prevalence of chronic pain. However, reproductive lifespan does not appear to have a significant impact on chronic pain or chronic widespread pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Indre Lund
- Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Department of Research and Development, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Leiv Arne Rosseland
- Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Department of Research and Development, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ólöf Anna Steingrímsdóttir
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Research, Oral Health Centre of Expertise in Eastern Norway, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bo Lars Engdahl
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Audun Stubhaug
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Department of Pain Management and Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne-Sofie Furberg
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Care, Molde University College, Molde, Norway
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Christopher Sivert Nielsen
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Department of Pain Management and Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Xu H, Sun Z, Wang G, Li R. The Impact of Depression on Detrimental Changes in Bone Microstructure in Female Mice. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2024; 20:1421-1433. [PMID: 39049938 PMCID: PMC11268775 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s454865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Several clinical studies have examined the connection between depression and bone loss, but the cause-and-effect relationship between the two conditions, especially in animal models, is not well-studied. Methods A total of 32 female mice were, randomly divided into control group (CON, n=19) and depression group (DEP, n=13). The mice in the DEP group were subjected to 21 consecutive days of restraint stress, following depressive-like behaviors were assessment. The femurs were collected using Micro-Computed Tomography (μCT) and histochemical staining. In parallel, levels of serotonin-related proteins in the brain were measured using Western blot analysis, and sex hormone profiles were determined through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results The mice in the DEP group exhibited clear signs of depressive-like behaviors and an increase in serotonin transporter levels (t=-2.435, P< 0.05). In comparison to the CON mice, the DEP mice showed a decrease in bone mineral density (t =3.741, P< 0.05), bone surface area density (t =8.009, P<0.01), percent bone volume (t =4.293, P< 0.05), trabecular number (t =5.844, P<0.01), and connected density (t =11.000, P< 0.05). Additionally, there was an increase in trabecular separation (t =-7.436, P<0.01) in DEP mice. Furthermore, the DEP mice displayed a significant reduction in serum estrogen levels (t =4.340, P< 0.05) and changes in its metabolite (t =-3.325, P< 0.05), while the levels of androgens remained unchanged. Conclusion The restraint stress not only led to the development of depressive-like behaviors but also disrupted the estrogen metabolism pathway, resulting in damage to bone mass and microstructure in female mice. These findings suggest that stress-induced depression may pose a risk for bone loss in female mice by altering estrogen metabolism pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Xu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zuoli Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gang Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rena Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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Davis SR, Azene ZN, Tonkin AM, Woods RL, McNeil JJ, Islam RM. Higher testosterone is associated with higher HDL-cholesterol and lower triglyceride concentrations in older women: an observational study. Climacteric 2024; 27:282-288. [PMID: 38345304 PMCID: PMC11196127 DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2024.2310530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine whether concentrations of testosterone and its main precursor after menopause, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), are associated with lipoproteins and other lipids in community-dwelling older women. METHODS The Sex Hormones in Older Women (SHOW) study was an observational study of 6358 Australian women, aged at least 70 years, with no prior major adverse cardiovascular event who had sex hormones measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Associations between hormones and lipids were examined using multilinear regression adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS The cross-sectional analyses included 3231 participants, median age 74.0 (interquartile range 71.7-77.9) years. Compared with concentrations in the lowest quartile (Q1), testosterone concentrations in the highest quartiles (Q3 and Q4) were positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively) while Q4 testosterone concentrations were positively associated with total cholesterol (p = 0.038). Q2, Q3 and Q4 testosterone concentrations were significantly inversely associated with triglycerides (TG) (p = 0.024, p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). For DHEA, Q4 concentrations was positively associated with non-HDL-C (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS In older women, higher endogenous testosterone concentrations are significantly associated with higher HDL-C and lower TG, indicating a less atherogenic profile. These findings suggest a neutral, or potentially protective, cardiovascular disease effect of testosterone in older women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan R Davis
- Women’s Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3004
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria Australia 3004
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3004
| | - Zelalem N Azene
- Women’s Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3004
| | - Andrew M Tonkin
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3004
| | - Robyn L Woods
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3004
| | - John J McNeil
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3004
| | - Rakibul M Islam
- Women’s Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3004
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3004
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Dearing C, Sanford E, Olmstead N, Morano R, Wulsin L, Myers B. Sex-Specific Cardiac Remodeling in Aged Rats after Early-Life Chronic Stress: Associations with Endocrine and Metabolic Factors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.03.587944. [PMID: 38617312 PMCID: PMC11014584 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.03.587944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Background Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. Rates of cardiovascular disease vary both across the lifespan and between sexes. While multiple factors, including adverse life experiences, impact the development and progression of cardiovascular disease, the potential interactions of biological sex and stress history on the aged heart are unknown. To this end, we examined sex- and stress-specific impacts on left ventricular hypertrophy (VH) after aging. We hypothesized that early life chronic stress exposure impacts behavioral and physiologic responses that predict cardiac remodeling in a sex-specific manner. Methods Histological analysis was conducted on hearts of male and female rats previously exposed to chronic variable stress during the late adolescent period (postnatal days 43-62). These animals were challenged with a forced swim test and a glucose tolerance test before aging to 15 months and again being challenged. Predictive analyses were then used to isolate factors that relate to cardiac remodeling among these groups. Results Early-life chronic stress impacted cardiac remodeling in a sex-specific manner. Among rats with a history of chronic stress, females had increased inward VH. However, there were few associations within the female groups among individual behavioral and physiologic parameters and cardiac remodeling. While males as a group did not have VH after chronic stress, they exhibited multiple individual associations with cardiac susceptibility. Passive coping in young males and active coping in aged males related to VH in a stress history-dependent manner. Moreover, baseline corticosterone positively correlated with VH in unstressed males, while chronically-stressed males had positive correlations between VH and visceral adiposity. Conclusions These results indicate that females as a group are uniquely susceptible to the effects of early-life stress on cardiac remodeling later in life. Conversely, males have more individual differences in vulnerability, where susceptibility to cardiac remodeling relates to endocrine, metabolic, and behavioral measures depending on stress history. These results ultimately support a framework for accessing cardiovascular risk based on biological sex and prior adverse experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carley Dearing
- Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Ella Sanford
- Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - Rachel Morano
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Lawson Wulsin
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Brent Myers
- Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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Yu C, Bakshi A, Bell RJ, Islam RM, Handelsman DJ, McNeil JJ, Lacaze P, Davis SR. Genome-wide association study identifies genetic regulation of oestrone concentrations and association with endometrial cancer risk in postmenopausal women. EBioMedicine 2024; 101:104997. [PMID: 38324981 PMCID: PMC10862393 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.104997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oestrone, predominantly made in fat, is the main circulating oestrogen and important for target tissue oestradiol production in women after menopause. The present study was undertaken to determine the genetic regulation of blood oestrone, measured with precision, in postmenopausal women and to explore associations between the identified genetic loci and endometrial cancer in a large, independent cohort. METHODS A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was undertaken in women aged at least 70 years to identify genetic associations with blood oestrone concentrations measured by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. The GWAS included participants from the Sex Hormones in Older Women (SHOW) study, a sub-study of the longitudinal ASPREE (ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) randomised trial. Of the 6358 women providing a biobank sample at enrolment, 4951 unrelated women of European ancestry, not taking sex hormones, anti-oestrogens, anti-androgens or systemic glucocorticoids were included in the GWAS. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from loci identified below the genome-wide significance threshold were then tested in an independent cohort (the UK Biobank) for association with endometrial cancer risk, using logistic regression and adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI) and the top 10 genetic principal components. FINDINGS The median age of the 4951 women included in the GWAS was 75.9 years (range 70-94.8 years). The GWAS identified four independent SNPs associated with oestrone concentrations (p < 5 × 10-8). Among them, the effect (minor) alleles rs34670419-T, rs2846729-T and rs2414098-T were associated with lower oestrone concentrations. Carrying these effect alleles was associated with lower oestrone concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. The effect allele rs56400819-A was associated with higher oestrone concentrations. When applied to UK Biobank, carrier status for rs2414098-T associated with the CYP19A1 gene which encodes the aromatase enzyme required for oestrogen synthesis was significantly associated with lower endometrial cancer risk (adjusted odd ratio [aOR] 0.87 [95% CI 0.82-0.93]; p = 6.69 × 10-5 for women across all ages and aOR 0.89 [95% CI 0.83-0.96]; p = 0.003 for postmenopausal women). None of the models that included age, body mass index (BMI), the top 10 genetic principal components, parity and diabetes mellitus explained more than 7.6% of the variation in risk. INTERPRETATION We have shown genetic regulation of oestrone concentrations in postmenopausal women, and that SNPs associated with oestrone were also associated with endometrial cancer risk, independent of BMI, parity and diabetes mellitus. Although the apparent contribution was modest, the biological influence of oestrone concentrations may be greater through conversion to oestradiol in endometrial tissue. FUNDING The ASPREE trial was supported by the National Institute on Aging and the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health (Grant U01AG029824); the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia (Grant 34047, 1127060); Monash University (Australia); and the Victorian Cancer Agency (Australia). The ASPREE Healthy Ageing Biobank was funded by the CSIRO (Flagship Grant), the National Cancer Institute (Grant U01 AG029824) and Monash University. This analysis of sex hormones was funded by an NHMRC of Australia Project Grant (No. 1105305). SRD holds an NHMRC Investigator Grant (2016627). PL is supported by a National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship (102604).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglong Yu
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Andrew Bakshi
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Robin J Bell
- Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Rakibul M Islam
- Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | | | - John J McNeil
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Paul Lacaze
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Susan R Davis
- Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia; Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
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Islam RM, Bell RJ, Berk M, Handelsman DJ, McNeil JJ, Wolfe R, Woods RL, Davis SR. Associations between low sex hormone concentrations and depression in older women: An observational study. Maturitas 2023; 176:107822. [PMID: 37591034 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2023.107822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We investigated whether low sex hormone concentrations are associated with depression in older women. STUDY DESIGN This was a cross-sectional study of Australian women, aged at least 70 years, not taking medications modulating sex hormone levels. Associations between hormones, measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and depression were examined by logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was a Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression score >10, designated as 'depression', with an expanded definition that included anti-depressant use as a secondary outcome. RESULTS For the 5535 participants in the analysis, median age 74.0 years (interquartile range 71.7-77.7), depression prevalence was 5.8 % (95 % CI 5.2-6.4 %). In the adjusted models, a statistically significantly greater likelihood of depression was seen for women with testosterone and oestrone blood concentrations in quartile 1 compared with quartiles 2-4 (odds ratio 1.33, 95 % CI 1.04 to 1.70, p = 0.022; and 1.37, 95 % CI 1.06 to 1.78, p = 0.017, respectively). For the expanded definition, the odds ratios for the lowest testosterone and oestrone quartile compared with other quartiles were 1.47 (95 % CI 1.24 to 1.75, p < 0.001) and 1.31 (95 % CI 1.09 to 1.58, p < 0.001), respectively. A significant association for low DHEA was seen only for the expanded definition of depression (1.36, 95 % CI 1.13 to 1.64, p = 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that the contribution of each sex hormone to the likelihood of depression was small. CONCLUSIONS Amongst older women not taking medications that influence sex hormone concentrations, low testosterone and oestrone levels are associated with a greater likelihood of depression, but the effects are small. TRIAL REGISTRATION International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Register (ISRCTN83772183) and clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01038583).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakibul M Islam
- Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
| | - Robin J Bell
- Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
| | - Michael Berk
- The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation Strategy Research Centre, Deakin University School of Medicine, Geelong, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
| | - David J Handelsman
- ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2139, Australia.
| | - John J McNeil
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
| | - Rory Wolfe
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
| | - Robyn L Woods
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
| | - Susan R Davis
- Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Alfred Health, Melbourne 3004, Australia.
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Stadtler H, Neigh GN. Sex Differences in the Neurobiology of Stress. Psychiatr Clin North Am 2023; 46:427-446. [PMID: 37500242 DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2023.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
This review highlights the existing knowledge and data that explain the physiologic impacts of stress, especially pertaining to neurobiology, and how these impacts differ by sex. Furthermore, this review explains the benefits of interventions aimed at preventing or mitigating the adverse effects of stress, because of both the significant toll of stress on the body and the disproportionate impact of these changes experienced by women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Stadtler
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, 1101 East Marshall Street Box 980709, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Gretchen N Neigh
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, 1101 East Marshall Street Box 980709, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
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Wrigglesworth J, Harding IH, Islam RM, Ward PGD, Woods RL, Bell RJ, McNeil JJ, Storey E, Egan G, Murray AM, Trevaks RE, Ward SA, Davis SR, Ryan J. The association between sex hormones and the change in brain-predicted age difference in older women. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2023; 98:692-699. [PMID: 36807922 PMCID: PMC10073334 DOI: 10.1111/cen.14898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The role of circulating sex hormones on structural brain ageing is yet to be established. This study explored whether concentrations of circulating sex hormones in older women are associated with the baseline and longitudinal changes in structural brain ageing, defined by the brain-predicted age difference (brain-PAD). DESIGN Prospective cohort study using data from NEURO and Sex Hormones in Older Women; substudies of the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly clinical trial. PATIENTS Community-dwelling older women (aged 70+ years). MEASUREMENTS Oestrone, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were quantified from plasma samples collected at baseline. T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was performed at baseline, 1 and 3 years. Brain age was derived from whole brain volume using a validated algorithm. RESULTS The sample comprised of 207 women not taking medications known to influence sex hormone concentrations. A statistically higher baseline brain-PAD (older brain age relative to chronological age) was seen for women in the highest DHEA tertile compared with the lowest in the unadjusted analysis (p = .04). This was not significant when adjusted for chronological age, and potential confounding health and behavioural factors. Oestrone, testosterone and SHBG were not associated with brain-PAD cross-sectionally, nor were any of the examined sex hormones or SHBG associated with brain-PAD longitudinally. CONCLUSION No strong evidence of an association between circulating sex hormones and brain-PAD. Given there is prior evidence to suggests sex hormones may be important for brain ageing, further studies of circulating sex hormones and brain health in postmenopausal women are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo Wrigglesworth
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, 3004, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ian H. Harding
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne Victoria, Australia
| | - Rakibul M. Islam
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, 3004, Victoria, Australia
| | - Phillip G. D. Ward
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, Victoria, Australia
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, Victoria Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Australia
| | - Robyn L. Woods
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, 3004, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robin J. Bell
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, 3004, Victoria, Australia
| | - John J. McNeil
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, 3004, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elsdon Storey
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, 3004, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gary Egan
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function, Australia
| | - Anne M. Murray
- Berman Centre for Outcomes & Clinical Research, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Hennepin, Minneapolis, MN, 55404, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Hennepin Healthcare, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55404, USA
| | - Ruth E. Trevaks
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, 3004, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephanie A. Ward
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, 3004, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, 2031, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Susan R. Davis
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, 3004, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Alfred Health, Melbourne, 3004, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joanne Ryan
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, 3004, Victoria, Australia
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Oveisgharan S, Yang J, Yu L, Burba D, Bang W, Tasaki S, Grodstein F, Wang Y, Zhao J, De Jager PL, Schneider JA, Bennett DA. Estrogen Receptor Genes, Cognitive Decline, and Alzheimer Disease. Neurology 2023; 100:e1474-e1487. [PMID: 36697247 PMCID: PMC10104608 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000206833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Lifetime risk of Alzheimer disease (AD) dementia is twofold higher in women compared with men, and low estrogen levels in postmenopause have been suggested as a possible contributor. We examined 3 ER (GPER1, ER2, and ER1) variants in association with AD traits as an indirect method to test the association between estrogen and AD in women. Although the study focus was on women, in a comparison, we separately examined ER molecular variants in men. METHODS Participants were followed for an average of 10 years in one of the 2 longitudinal clinical pathologic studies of aging. Global cognition was assessed using a composite score derived from 19 neuropsychological tests' scores. Postmortem pathologic assessment included examination of 3 AD (amyloid-β and tau tangles determined by immunohistochemistry, and a global AD pathology score derived from diffuse and neurotic plaques and neurofibrillary tangle count) and 8 non-AD pathology indices. ER molecular genomic variants included genotyping and examining ER DNA methylation and RNA expression in brain regions including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) that are major players in cognition and often have AD pathology. RESULTS The mean age of women (N = 1711) at baseline was 78.0 (SD = 7.7) years. In women, GPER1 molecular variants had the most consistent associations with AD traits. GPER1 DNA methylation was associated with cognitive decline, tau tangle density, and global AD pathology score. GPER1 RNA expression in DLPFC was related to cognitive decline and tau tangle density. Other associations included associations of ER2 and ER1 sequence variants and DNA methylation with cognition. RNA expressions in DLPFC of genes involved in signaling mechanisms of activated ERs were also associated with cognitive decline and tau tangle density in women. In men (N = 651, average age at baseline: 77.4 [SD = 7.3]), there were less robust associations between ER molecular genomic variants and AD cognitive and pathologic traits. No consistent association was seen between ER molecular genomic variations and non-AD pathologies in either of the sexes. DISCUSSION ER DNA methylation and RNA expression, and to some extent ER polymorphisms, were associated with AD cognitive and pathologic traits in women, and to a lesser extent in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahram Oveisgharan
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
| | - Jingyun Yang
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Lei Yu
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Dominika Burba
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Woojeong Bang
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Shinya Tasaki
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Fran Grodstein
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Yanling Wang
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Jinying Zhao
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Philip Lawrence De Jager
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Julie A Schneider
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - David A Bennett
- From the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., D.B., W.B., S.T., F.G., Y.W., J.A.S., D.A.B.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago; Departments of Neurological Sciences (S.O., J.Y., L.Y., S.T., J.A.S., D.A.B.) and Internal Medicine (F.G.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Department of Epidemiology (J.Z.), University of Florida, Gainesville; Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology (P.L.D.J.), Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain (P.L.D.J.), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; and Department of Pathology (J.A.S.), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
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11
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Sultana F, Davis SR, Murray AM, Woods RL, McNeil JJ, Islam RM. Sex hormones, SHBG and cognitive performance among older Australian women: an observational study. Climacteric 2023; 26:121-128. [PMID: 36716780 PMCID: PMC10033445 DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2023.2166824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the associations between sex hormones and cognitive performance in older women. METHODS Associations between sex hormones, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and cognitive performance were examined in women aged at least 70 years, without dementia and not using medications that influence sex hormones. Linear and generalized linear regression models included age, body mass index, education, smoking, alcohol, living circumstances, diabetes, hypertension, depression and impaired renal function. RESULTS The included 5511 women had a median (interquartile range) age of 73.9 (71.6-77.6) years. No associations were found for estrone, estradiol, testosterone or dehydroepiandrosterone and cognitive performance. SHBG concentrations above quartile 1 (Q1) were significantly inversely associated with processing speed (Q2, β = -0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 1.64 to -0.24, p = 0.009; Q3, β = -0.82, 95% CI -1.53 to -0.10, p = 0.025; and Q4, β = -0.95, 95% CI -1.70 to -0.20, p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS Sex hormones were not associated with cognitive performance. The finding that low SHBG is associated with better processing speed warrants further investigation. The null findings for the sex hormones establish a firm baseline to confidently explore the association between sex hormones and longitudinal cognitive performance in this population. TRIAL REGISTRATION International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Register (ISRCTN83772183) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01038583).
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Affiliation(s)
- F Sultana
- Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Environmental Interventions Unit, Infectious Diseases Division, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - S R Davis
- Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Vic 3004, Australia
| | - A M Murray
- Berman Center for Outcomes and Clinical Research, Hennepin-Health Research Institute and Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - R L Woods
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - J J McNeil
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - R M Islam
- Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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12
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Azene ZN, Davis SR, McNeil JJ, Tonkin AM, Handelsman DJ, Islam RM. Estrone, sex hormone binding globulin and lipid profiles in older women: an observational study. Climacteric 2023; 26:114-120. [PMID: 36693423 PMCID: PMC10033393 DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2023.2165908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We investigated whether estrone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations are associated with lipid concentrations in older postmenopausal women. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of 6358 Australian women, aged 70-95 years, recruited between 2010 and 2014. Associations between estrone and SHBG and lipid concentrations were examined in participants not using medications that influence estrogen concentrations or lipid-lowering therapy. Linear regression models included age, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, renal function and diabetes, with the lowest quartile (Q1) as the reference for estrone and SHBG. RESULTS The study included 3231 participants with median age of 74.0 (interquartile range 71.7-77.9) years. Estrone concentration Q3 and Q4 were positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p = 0.017 and p = 0.046, respectively). Inverse associations were seen for estrone Q4 with total cholesterol (p = 0.018), Q2 and Q4 with non-HDL-C (p = 0.045 and p = 0.002, respectively) and Q3 and Q4 with triglycerides (p = 0.030 and p = 0.001, respectively). For SHBG, Q2, Q3 and Q4 were positively associated with HDL-C (all p < 0.001), and inversely with non-HDL-C (all p = 0.001) and triglycerides (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Estrone and SHBG are associated with lipid concentrations in older women. SHBG, but not estrone, may provide additional clinical predictive utility for the assessment of cardiometabolic disease risk in older women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z N Azene
- Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Women's and Family Health, School of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - S R Davis
- Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - J J McNeil
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - A M Tonkin
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - D J Handelsman
- ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - R M Islam
- Women's Health Research Program, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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13
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Lee E, Anselmo M, Tahsin CT, Vanden Noven M, Stokes W, Carter JR, Keller-Ross ML. Vasomotor symptoms of menopause, autonomic dysfunction, and cardiovascular disease. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2022; 323:H1270-H1280. [PMID: 36367692 PMCID: PMC9744645 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00477.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death among US adults, is more prevalent in menopausal females compared with age-matched males. Vasomotor symptoms of menopause (VMS; hot flashes/flushes and night sweats) are common among females undergoing menopausal transition and have been associated with elevated blood pressure (BP) and increased CVD risk. Autonomic dysregulation of BP has been posited as a contributing factor to the elevated CVD risk in menopausal females with VMS. This review includes 1) a brief overview of the relationship between VMS and CVD, 2) mechanisms of hot flushes and their potential impact on short- and long-term BP regulation, and 3) how the disruption of autonomic function associated with VMS might provide a mechanistic pathway to CVD development. Finally, this review will highlight knowledge gaps and future directions toward better understanding of hot flush physiology and VMS contributions to CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Lee
- Division of Physical Therapy, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Miguel Anselmo
- Division of Physical Therapy, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Chowdhury Tasnova Tahsin
- Division of Rehabilitation Science, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | | | - William Stokes
- Division of Rehabilitation Science, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Jason R Carter
- Department of Health and Human Development, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
- Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, Texas
| | - Manda L Keller-Ross
- Division of Physical Therapy, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Division of Rehabilitation Science, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Mitchell CM, Larson JC, Crandall CJ, Bhasin S, LaCroix AZ, Ensrud KE, Guthrie KA, Reed SD. Association of Vaginal Estradiol Tablet With Serum Estrogen Levels in Women Who Are Postmenopausal: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2241743. [PMID: 36374501 PMCID: PMC9664265 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.41743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Half of women who are postmenopausal have genitourinary discomfort after menopause. Recommended therapies include low-dose vaginal estrogen. Individuals with a history of breast cancer or venous thromboembolism may have concerns about the safety of this intervention. OBJECTIVE To compare serum estrogen concentrations with the use of vaginal estrogen, 10 μg, tablet vs placebo in women who are postmenopausal. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This is a secondary, post hoc analysis of data from a randomized clinical trial of treatment for moderate to severe genitourinary syndrome in women who are postmenopausal. The study was conducted at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute and the University of Minnesota from April 11, 2016, to April 23, 2017. Measurements and data analysis were performed from November 3, 2020, to September 23, 2022. INTERVENTIONS Participants were randomly assigned to vaginal estradiol tablet (10 μg/d for 2 weeks and then twice weekly) plus placebo gel (3 times weekly) or dual placebo for 12 weeks. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES In this post hoc analysis, baseline and week 12 serum estradiol, estrone, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations were measured by a chemiluminescent assay. Week 12 values of the 3 analytes were compared by baseline participant characteristics. Linear models compared week 12 estradiol concentrations between treatment groups, adjusted for baseline characteristics. RESULTS A total of 174 women, mean (SD) age 61 (4) years, were included. Those in the estrogen group (n = 88) were more likely to have higher geometric mean (SD) week 12 serum estradiol concentrations (4.3 [2.2 pg/mL]) than those in the placebo group (n = 86) (3.5 [2.1] pg/mL) (P = .01). Adjusted for pretreatment hormone concentrations, age, clinical site, and body mass index, assignment to the estrogen vs placebo treatment group was significantly associated with higher week 12 estradiol concentrations (23.8% difference; 95% CI, 6.9%-43.3%). Most (121 of 174 [69.5%]) participants had enrollment serum estradiol concentrations higher than 2.7 pg/mL. Of women starting treatment at estradiol levels lower than or equal to 2.7 pg/mL, 38.1% (8 of 21) in the estrogen group and 34.4% (11 of 32) in the placebo group had estradiol concentrations higher than 2.7 pg/mL after 12 weeks of study participation (P = .78). Treatment assignment was not associated with week 12 estrone or SHBG concentrations. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial, a significant, although small, increase in serum estradiol levels was noted after 12 weeks of vaginal estrogen administration. The clinical relevance of this small increase is uncertain. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02516202.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph C. Larson
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Carolyn J. Crandall
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Shalender Bhasin
- Research Program in Men’s Health: Aging and Metabolism, Boston Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrea Z. LaCroix
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California, San Diego
| | - Kristine E. Ensrud
- Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
- Center for Care Delivery and Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Katherine A. Guthrie
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Susan D. Reed
- Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle
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15
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Dearing C, Handa RJ, Myers B. Sex differences in autonomic responses to stress: implications for cardiometabolic physiology. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2022; 323:E281-E289. [PMID: 35793480 PMCID: PMC9448273 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00058.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Chronic stress is a significant risk factor for negative health outcomes. Furthermore, imbalance of autonomic nervous system control leads to dysregulation of physiological responses to stress and contributes to the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic and psychiatric disorders. However, research on autonomic stress responses has historically focused on males, despite evidence that females are disproportionality affected by stress-related disorders. Accordingly, this mini-review focuses on the influence of biological sex on autonomic responses to stress in humans and rodent models. The reviewed literature points to sex differences in the consequences of chronic stress, including cardiovascular and metabolic disease. We also explore basic rodent studies of sex-specific autonomic responses to stress with a focus on sex hormones and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation of cardiovascular and metabolic physiology. Ultimately, emerging evidence of sex differences in autonomic-endocrine integration highlights the importance of sex-specific studies to understand and treat cardiometabolic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carley Dearing
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Robert J Handa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
| | - Brent Myers
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
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16
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Islam RM, Bell RJ, Handelsman DJ, McNeil JJ, Nelson MR, Reid CM, Tonkin AM, Wolfe RS, Woods RL, Davis SR. Associations between blood sex steroid concentrations and risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in healthy older women in Australia: a prospective cohort substudy of the ASPREE trial. THE LANCET. HEALTHY LONGEVITY 2022; 3:e109-e118. [PMID: 35252940 PMCID: PMC8896500 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-7568(22)00001-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood testosterone concentrations in women decline during the reproductive years and reach a nadir in the seventh decade, after which concentrations increase and are restored to those of reproductive-aged women early in the eighth decade. We aimed to establish the association between the concentration of testosterone in the blood and risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality in healthy older women. METHODS SHOW was a prospective cohort substudy of the longitudinal randomised ASPREE trial. Eligible participants were women aged at least 70 years from Australia with unimpaired cognition, no previous MACE, and a life expectancy of at least 5 years. Participants who were receiving hormonal or steroid therapy were ineligible for inclusion. We measured serum concentrations of sex steroids with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and of SHBG with immunoassay. We compared lower concentrations of sex hormones with higher concentrations using four quartiles. Primary endpoints were risk of MACE and all-cause mortality, the associations of which with sex steroid concentrations were assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression that included age, body-mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, impaired renal function, and treatment allocation in the ASPREE trial (aspirin vs placebo). ASPREE is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01038583. FINDINGS Of the 9180 women recruited to the ASPREE trial between March 10, 2010, and Dec 31 2014, 6358 participants provided sufficient biobank samples at baseline and 5535 were included in the final analysis. Median age at entry was 74·0 years (IQR 71·7-77·7). During a median 4·4 years of follow-up (24 553 person-years), 144 (2·6%) women had a first MACE (incidence 5·9 per 1000 person-years). During a median 4·6 years of follow-up (3·8-5·6), 200 women died (7·9 per 1000 person-years). In the fully adjusted models, higher concentrations of testosterone were associated with a lower incidence of MACE (quartile 4 vs quartile 1: hazard ratio 0·57 [95% CI 0·36-0·91]; p=0·02), as were higher concentrations of DHEA (quartile 4 vs quartile 1: 0·61 [0·38-0·97]; p=0·04). For oestrone, a lower risk of MACE was seen for concentrations in quartile 2 only, compared with quartile 1 (0·55 [0·33-0·92]; p=0·02). In fully adjusted models, no association was seen between SHBG and MACE, or between any hormone or SHBG and all-cause mortality. INTERPRETATION Blood concentrations of testosterone and DHEA above the lowest quartile in older women were associated with a reduced risk of a first-ever MACE. Given that the physiological effects of DHEA are mediated through its steroid metabolites, if the current findings were to be replicated, trials investigating testosterone therapy for the primary prevention of ischaemic cardiovascular disease events in older women would be warranted. FUNDING The National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, US National Institute on Aging, the Victorian Cancer Agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, and Monash University.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakibul M Islam
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia (R M Islam PhD, Prof R J Bell MBBS, Prof J J McNeil MBBS, Prof M R Nelson MBBS, Prof C M Reid PhD, Prof R S Wolfe PhD, R L Woods PhD, Prof S R Davis MBBS); ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia (Prof D J Handelsman MBBS); Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia (Prof M R Nelson); School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia (Prof C M Reid)
| | - Robin J Bell
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia (R M Islam PhD, Prof R J Bell MBBS, Prof J J McNeil MBBS, Prof M R Nelson MBBS, Prof C M Reid PhD, Prof R S Wolfe PhD, R L Woods PhD, Prof S R Davis MBBS); ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia (Prof D J Handelsman MBBS); Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia (Prof M R Nelson); School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia (Prof C M Reid)
| | - David J Handelsman
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia (R M Islam PhD, Prof R J Bell MBBS, Prof J J McNeil MBBS, Prof M R Nelson MBBS, Prof C M Reid PhD, Prof R S Wolfe PhD, R L Woods PhD, Prof S R Davis MBBS); ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia (Prof D J Handelsman MBBS); Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia (Prof M R Nelson); School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia (Prof C M Reid)
| | - John J McNeil
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia (R M Islam PhD, Prof R J Bell MBBS, Prof J J McNeil MBBS, Prof M R Nelson MBBS, Prof C M Reid PhD, Prof R S Wolfe PhD, R L Woods PhD, Prof S R Davis MBBS); ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia (Prof D J Handelsman MBBS); Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia (Prof M R Nelson); School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia (Prof C M Reid)
| | - Mark R Nelson
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia (R M Islam PhD, Prof R J Bell MBBS, Prof J J McNeil MBBS, Prof M R Nelson MBBS, Prof C M Reid PhD, Prof R S Wolfe PhD, R L Woods PhD, Prof S R Davis MBBS); ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia (Prof D J Handelsman MBBS); Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia (Prof M R Nelson); School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia (Prof C M Reid)
| | - Christopher M Reid
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia (R M Islam PhD, Prof R J Bell MBBS, Prof J J McNeil MBBS, Prof M R Nelson MBBS, Prof C M Reid PhD, Prof R S Wolfe PhD, R L Woods PhD, Prof S R Davis MBBS); ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia (Prof D J Handelsman MBBS); Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia (Prof M R Nelson); School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia (Prof C M Reid)
| | - Andrew M Tonkin
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia (R M Islam PhD, Prof R J Bell MBBS, Prof J J McNeil MBBS, Prof M R Nelson MBBS, Prof C M Reid PhD, Prof R S Wolfe PhD, R L Woods PhD, Prof S R Davis MBBS); ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia (Prof D J Handelsman MBBS); Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia (Prof M R Nelson); School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia (Prof C M Reid)
| | - Rory S Wolfe
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia (R M Islam PhD, Prof R J Bell MBBS, Prof J J McNeil MBBS, Prof M R Nelson MBBS, Prof C M Reid PhD, Prof R S Wolfe PhD, R L Woods PhD, Prof S R Davis MBBS); ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia (Prof D J Handelsman MBBS); Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia (Prof M R Nelson); School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia (Prof C M Reid)
| | - Robyn L Woods
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia (R M Islam PhD, Prof R J Bell MBBS, Prof J J McNeil MBBS, Prof M R Nelson MBBS, Prof C M Reid PhD, Prof R S Wolfe PhD, R L Woods PhD, Prof S R Davis MBBS); ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia (Prof D J Handelsman MBBS); Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia (Prof M R Nelson); School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia (Prof C M Reid)
| | - Susan R Davis
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia (R M Islam PhD, Prof R J Bell MBBS, Prof J J McNeil MBBS, Prof M R Nelson MBBS, Prof C M Reid PhD, Prof R S Wolfe PhD, R L Woods PhD, Prof S R Davis MBBS); ANZAC Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia (Prof D J Handelsman MBBS); Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia (Prof M R Nelson); School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia (Prof C M Reid)
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