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Ruediger SL, Pizzey FK, Koep JL, Coombes JS, Askew CD, Bailey TG. Comparison of peripheral and cerebral vascular function between premenopausal, early and late postmenopausal females. Exp Physiol 2023; 108:518-530. [PMID: 36621779 PMCID: PMC10103882 DOI: 10.1113/ep090813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? We sought to investigate whether peripheral and cerebrovascular function are impaired in early and late postmenopausal females compared with premenopausal females, while also accounting for nitric oxide and estradiol levels. What is the main finding and its importance? We observed no differences in peripheral vascular and cerebrovascular function between healthy and physically active premenopausal females and early and late postmenopausal females. Our findings contradict previous cross-sectional observations of vascular and cerebrovascular dysfunction across menopause. Longitudinal studies assessing vascular and cerebrovascular outcomes across the menopausal transition are warranted. ABSTRACT The risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease increases in ageing females, coinciding with the onset of menopause. Differences in peripheral and cerebrovascular function across menopausal stages, however, are poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to compare peripheral and cerebrovascular function between healthy premenopausal (PRE), early (1-6 years after final menstrual period; E-POST) and late (>6 years after final menstrual period; L-POST) postmenopausal females. We also explored the association between reproductive hormones, NO bioavailability and cerebrovascular function. In 39 females (40-65 years of age), we measured arterial stiffness, brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation, and cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) to hypercapnia in the middle (MCAv) and internal (ICA) carotid arteries. Follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, progesterone and plasma nitrate and nitrite concentrations were also measured. Years since final menstrual period (PRE, 0 ± 0 years; E-POST, 3 ± 1 years; L-POST, 11 ± 4 years; P < 0.001) and estradiol levels (PRE, 145.5 ± 65.6 pg ml-1 ; E-POSTm 30.2 ± 81.2 pg ml-1 ; L-POST, 7.7 ± 11.3 pg ml-1 ; P < 0.001) were different between groups. All groups exceeded the guidelines for recommended physical activity. There were no group differences in blood pressure (P = 0.382), arterial stiffness (P = 0.129), flow-mediated dilatation (P = 0.696) or MCAv CVR (P = 0.442). The ICA CVR blood flow response was lower in PRE compared with L-POST (26.5 ± 19.2 vs. 47.8 ± 12.6%; P = 0.010), but after adjusting for age these differences were no longer present. Flow-mediated dilatation (r = 0.313, P = 0.105) and ICA CVR (r = -0.154, P = 0.495) were not associated with the estradiol concentration. There were no associations between the estradiol concentration and NO bioavailability. These results suggest that in healthy, physically active early and late postmenopausal females, vascular and cerebrovascular function is generally well preserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie L. Ruediger
- Physiology and Ultrasound Laboratory in Science and ExerciseCentre for Research on Exercise, Physical Activity and HealthSchool of Human Movement and Nutrition SciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Faith K. Pizzey
- Physiology and Ultrasound Laboratory in Science and ExerciseCentre for Research on Exercise, Physical Activity and HealthSchool of Human Movement and Nutrition SciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Jodie L. Koep
- Physiology and Ultrasound Laboratory in Science and ExerciseCentre for Research on Exercise, Physical Activity and HealthSchool of Human Movement and Nutrition SciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
- Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre, Sport and Health SciencesCollege of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of ExeterExeterUK
| | - Jeff S. Coombes
- Physiology and Ultrasound Laboratory in Science and ExerciseCentre for Research on Exercise, Physical Activity and HealthSchool of Human Movement and Nutrition SciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Christopher D. Askew
- VasoActive Research GroupSchool of HealthUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsQueenslandAustralia
- Sunshine Coast Health InstituteSunshine Coast Hospital and Health ServiceBirtinyaQueenslandAustralia
| | - Tom G. Bailey
- Physiology and Ultrasound Laboratory in Science and ExerciseCentre for Research on Exercise, Physical Activity and HealthSchool of Human Movement and Nutrition SciencesThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
- School of NursingMidwifery and Social WorkThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
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Debray A, Bherer L, Gagnon C, Bosquet L, Hay E, Bartlett AA, Gagnon D, Enea C. A Cross-Sectional Comparison of Arterial Stiffness and Cognitive Performances in Physically Active Late Pre- and Early Post-Menopausal Females. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12070901. [PMID: 35884708 PMCID: PMC9312988 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12070901] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Menopause accelerates increases in arterial stiffness and decreases cognitive performances. The objective of this study was to compare cognitive performances in physically active pre- and post-menopausal females and their relationship with arterial stiffness. We performed a cross-sectional comparison of blood pressure, carotid−femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) and cognitive performances between physically active late pre- and early post-menopausal females. Systolic (post-menopause—pre-menopause: +6 mmHg [95% CI −1; +13], p = 0.27; ŋ2 = 0.04) and diastolic (+6 mmHg [95% CI +2; +11], p = 0.06; ŋ2 = 0.12) blood pressures, and cf-PWV (+0.29 m/s [95% CI −1.03; 1.62], p = 0.48; ŋ2 = 0.02) did not differ between groups. Post-menopausal females performed as well as pre-menopausal females on tests evaluating executive functions, episodic memory and processing speed. Group differences were observed on the computerized working memory task. Post-menopausal females had lower accuracy (p = 0.02; ŋ2 = 0.25) but similar reaction time (p = 0.70; ŋ2 < 0.01). Moreover, this performance was inversely associated with the severity of menopausal symptoms (r = −0.38; p = 0.05). These results suggest that arterial stiffness and performance on tests assessing episodic memory and processing speed and executive functions assessing inhibition and switching abilities did not differ between physically active pre- and post-menopausal females. However, post-menopausal females had lower performance on a challenging condition of a working memory task, and this difference in working memory between groups cannot be explained by increased arterial stiffness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie Debray
- Montreal Heart Institute, 5055 Rue Saint-Zotique E, Montreal, QC H1T 1N6, Canada; (A.D.); (L.B.); (C.G.); (A.-A.B.); (D.G.)
- School of Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Université de Montréal, 2100, boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
- Laboratory MOVE (UR20296), Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Université de Poitiers, Batiment C6, 8 allée Jean Monnet, TSA 31113, CEDEX 9, 86073 Poitiers, France; (L.B.); (E.H.)
| | - Louis Bherer
- Montreal Heart Institute, 5055 Rue Saint-Zotique E, Montreal, QC H1T 1N6, Canada; (A.D.); (L.B.); (C.G.); (A.-A.B.); (D.G.)
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, 4565 Chemin Queen Mary, Montreal, QC H3W 1W5, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Christine Gagnon
- Montreal Heart Institute, 5055 Rue Saint-Zotique E, Montreal, QC H1T 1N6, Canada; (A.D.); (L.B.); (C.G.); (A.-A.B.); (D.G.)
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, 4565 Chemin Queen Mary, Montreal, QC H3W 1W5, Canada
| | - Laurent Bosquet
- Laboratory MOVE (UR20296), Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Université de Poitiers, Batiment C6, 8 allée Jean Monnet, TSA 31113, CEDEX 9, 86073 Poitiers, France; (L.B.); (E.H.)
- Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, 4565 Chemin Queen Mary, Montreal, QC H3W 1W5, Canada
| | - Eva Hay
- Laboratory MOVE (UR20296), Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Université de Poitiers, Batiment C6, 8 allée Jean Monnet, TSA 31113, CEDEX 9, 86073 Poitiers, France; (L.B.); (E.H.)
| | - Audrey-Ann Bartlett
- Montreal Heart Institute, 5055 Rue Saint-Zotique E, Montreal, QC H1T 1N6, Canada; (A.D.); (L.B.); (C.G.); (A.-A.B.); (D.G.)
- School of Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Université de Montréal, 2100, boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Daniel Gagnon
- Montreal Heart Institute, 5055 Rue Saint-Zotique E, Montreal, QC H1T 1N6, Canada; (A.D.); (L.B.); (C.G.); (A.-A.B.); (D.G.)
- School of Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Université de Montréal, 2100, boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Carina Enea
- Laboratory MOVE (UR20296), Faculté des Sciences du Sport, Université de Poitiers, Batiment C6, 8 allée Jean Monnet, TSA 31113, CEDEX 9, 86073 Poitiers, France; (L.B.); (E.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-(0)5-49-45-30-00
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