C-Reactive Protein Mediates the Effect of Serum Progesterone on Obesity for Men and Postmenopausal Women in Henan Rural Cohort Study

Impact of NMDA receptors block versus GABA-A receptors modulation on synaptic plasticity and brain electrical activity in metabolic syndrome

PURPOSE

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common disorder associated with disturbed neurotransmitter homeostasis. Memantine, an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, was first used in Alzheimer's disease. Allopregnanolone (Allo), a potent positive allosteric modulator of the Gamma-Amino-Butyric Acid (GABA)-A receptors, decreases in neurodegenerative diseases. The study investigated the impact of Memantine versus Allo administration on the animal model of MetS to clarify whether the mechanism of abnormalities is related more to excitatory or inhibitory neurotransmitter dysfunction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-six male rats were allocated into 7 groups: 4 control groups, 1 MetS group, and 2 treated MetS groups. They underwent assessment of cognition-related behavior by open field and forced swimming tests, electroencephalogram (EEG) recording, serum markers confirming the establishment of MetS model and hippocampal Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).

RESULTS

Allo improved anxiety-like behavior and decreased grooming frequency compared to Memantine. Both drugs increased GFAP and BDNF expression, improving synaptic plasticity and cognition-related behaviors. The therapeutic effect of Allo was more beneficial regarding lipid profile and anxiety. We reported progressive slowing of EEG waves in the MetS group with Memantine and Allo treatment with increased relative theta and decreased relative delta rhythms.

CONCLUSIONS

Both Allo and Memantine boosted the outcome parameters in the animal model of MetS. Allo markedly improved the anxiety-like behavior in the form of significantly decreased grooming frequency compared to the Memantine-treated groups. Both drugs were associated with increased hippocampal GFAP and BDNF expression, indicating an improvement in synaptic plasticity and so, cognition-related behaviors.

The interplay between diabetes mellitus and menopause: clinical implications

The menopausal transition is an impactful period in women's lives, when the risk of cardiovascular disease is accelerated. Similarly, diabetes mellitus profoundly impacts cardiovascular risk. However, the interplay between menopause and diabetes mellitus has not been adequately studied. The menopausal transition is accompanied by metabolic changes that predispose to diabetes mellitus, particularly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), as menopause results in increased risk of upper body adipose tissue accumulation and increased incidence of insulin resistance. Equally, diabetes mellitus can affect ovarian ageing, potentially causing women with type 1 diabetes mellitus and early-onset T2DM to experience menopause earlier than women without diabetes mellitus. Earlier age at menopause has been associated with a higher risk of T2DM later in life. Menopausal hormone therapy can reduce the risk of T2DM and improve glycaemic control in women with pre-existing diabetes mellitus; however, there is not enough evidence to support the administration of menopausal hormone therapy for diabetes mellitus prevention or control. This Review critically appraises studies published within the past few years on the interaction between diabetes mellitus and menopause and addresses all clinically relevant issues, such as the effect of menopause on the development of T2DM, and the management of both menopause and diabetes mellitus.

Cardiometabolic risk factors and endogenous sex hormones in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional study

Context

It is uncertain which cardiovascular risk factors are associated with sex hormone levels in postmenopausal women.

Objective

This work aimed to investigate the association between cardiometabolic risk factors and sex hormones in a cross-sectional, observational population study.

Methods

In this Swedish population study, participants were physically examined from 2002 to 2004, and endogenous sex hormones were analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Women aged 55 years or older with estradiol levels below 20 pg/mL and not using any hormonal therapy were eligible for inclusion in the study (N = 146). Variable selection and bootstrap stability analyses were performed and linear regression models presented, with each of the 8 hormones as outcome variables.

Results

Body mass index (BMI) was positively associated with estradiol (β = 0.054, P < .001), but negatively associated with 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone (β = –0.023, P = .028). Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was negatively associated with dihydrotestosterone (β = –2.195, P = .002) and testosterone (β = –1.541, P = .004). The homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance was positively associated with androstenedione (β = 0.071, P = .032), estradiol (β = 0.091, P = .009), estrone (β = 0.075, P = 0.009), and 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone (β = 0.157, P = .001). Age was positively associated with testosterone (β = 0.017, P = .042). C-reactive protein showed an inverse association with progesterone (β = –0.028, P = .037). Lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was associated with higher estradiol levels (β = –0.093, P = .049), whereas lower triglycerides were associated with higher concentrations of dihydrotestosterone (β = –0.208, P = .016).

Conclusion

In postmenopausal women, WHR was strongly inversely associated with androgens, while BMI was positively associated with estrogens.

Obesity, Body Composition, and Sex Hormones: Implications for Cardiovascular Risk

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the leading cause of death in adults, highlighting the need to develop novel strategies to mitigate cardiovascular risk. The advancing obesity epidemic is now threatening the gains in CVD risk reduction brought about by contemporary pharmaceutical and surgical interventions. There are sex differences in the development and outcomes of CVD; premenopausal women have significantly lower CVD risk than men of the same age, but women lose this advantage as they transition to menopause, an observation suggesting potential role of sex hormones in determining CVD risk. Clear differences in obesity and regional fat distribution among men and women also exist. While men have relatively high fat in the abdominal area, women tend to distribute a larger proportion of their fat in the lower body. Considering that regional body fat distribution is an important CVD risk factor, differences in how men and women store their body fat may partly contribute to sex-based alterations in CVD risk as well. This article presents findings related to the role of obesity and sex hormones in determining CVD risk. Evidence for the role of sex hormones in determining body composition in men and women is also presented. Lastly, the clinical potential for using sex hormones to alter body composition and reduce CVD risk is outlined. © 2022 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12:1-45, 2022.