Assessment of Psychological Status and Oxidative Stress in Postmenopausal Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

A clinical trial of the effects of cocoa rich chocolate on depression and sleep quality in menopausal women

In this triple-blind, randomized clinical trial, 60 menopausal women between the ages of 45 and 65 were randomized to receive 78% dark chocolate (12 g/day) or milk chocolate (12 g/day) for eight weeks. The primary outcome was depression scores. Secondary outcomes included sleep quality and anthropometric indices. ANCOVA with baseline adjustment showed that the mean depression score after the intervention in the group receiving dark chocolate was significantly reduced compared to the milk chocolate group (mean difference: -2.3; 95% confidence interval: -3.9 to -0.8; p = 0.003; Cohen's d = -0.54). However, no statistically significant difference in the overall sleep quality score and its subdomains was observed between the two groups after the intervention (p > 0.05). Furthermore, after the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of anthropometric indices, including weight (p = 0.075), BMI (p = 0.137), waist circumference (p = 0.463), and hip circumference (p = 0.114). The study suggests that consuming 78% dark chocolate for eight weeks may contribute to improvements in depression scores, but it does not appear to improve sleep quality or anthropometric indices.Trial registration: IRCT20220926056046N1; December 2022.

Prevalence and associated factors of depression in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Depression is a prevalent mental health problem in postmenopausal women. Given its significant impact on the quality of life and overall well-being of postmenopausal women, there is need for a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of the existing research globally. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the global prevalence of depression and potential associated factors in postmenopausal women.

METHODS

The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO databases were systematically searched from inception to March 22, 2023. The meta-analysis used the random-effects model to calculate the prevalence of depression rates and associated factors. In addition, subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots, Egger's test, and nonparametric trim-and-fill tests.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 50 studies that involved 385,092 postmenopausal women. The prevalence of depression in postmenopausal women was 28.00% (95% CI, 25.80-30.10). Among the factors relevant to depression among postmenopausal women, marital status (OR: 2.03, 95%CI: 1.33-3.11), history of mental illness (OR: 2.31, 95%CI: 1.50-3.57), chronic disease (OR: 3.13, 95%CI: 2.20-4.44), menstrual cycle (OR: 1.42, 95%CI: 1.17-1.72), abortion numbers (OR: 1.59, 95%CI: 1.40-1.80), menopausal symptoms (OR: 2.10, 95%CI: 1.52-2.90), and hormone replacement therapy (OR: 1.76, 95%CI: 1.31-2.35) were risk factors, while physical activity (OR: 0.56, 95%CI: 0.53-0.59), number of breastfed infants (OR: 0.43, 95%CI: 0.19-0.97), menopause age (OR: 0.44, 95%CI: 0.37-0.51) were preventive factors.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that the prevalence of postmenopausal depression is high, and some risk factors and protective factors associated with it have been identified. It is necessary to improve screening and management and optimize prevention and intervention strategies to reduce the harmful effects of postmenopausal depression.

Association between personality traits and psychological distress among postmenopausal women with coronary heart disease: A cross-sectional survey and mediation analysis

Postmenopausal women with negative personality characteristics are at an increased risk of psychological disorders, yet little is known about the mechanism underlying the relationship between type D personality and psychological distress in postmenopausal women with coronary disease. This study assessed the mediating roles of perceived social support and self-perceived burden in the relationship between type D and psychological distress based on the equity theory and stress-buffering model. Demographic characteristics, type D, psychological distress, perceived social support, and self-perceived burden were completed by 335 participants with self-reported questionnaires using a cross-sectional design in Southeast China. The results revealed that perceived social support and self-perceived burden both separately and serially mediated the relationship between type D personality and psychological distress. Effective intervention strategies aimed at improving perceived social support or reducing self-perceived burden may be beneficial in reducing psychological distress.

Effect of Makeup Use on Depressive Symptoms: An Open, Randomized and Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION

Depression is one of the most disabling diseases globally, with a high disease burden that generates high direct and indirect costs. The incidence of depression is twofold higher in adult women than in men. Biological and psychosocial factors constitute the pathophysiological bases of the condition and due to the complexity of the condition, current understanding is that the "treatment strategy must be multimodal". The objective of this study was to measure the effect of introducing the frequent use of makeup on improving depressive symptoms in adult women of medium-low purchasing power METHODS: Participants with the targeted profile who did not frequently use makeup were selected and randomised to receive (test group) or not (control group) stimuli and makeup products intended for encouraging the frequent use of makeup. The Zung Depression Self-Assessment Scale was used to assess depressive symptoms, with additional assessments on self-image perception using the mirror test and salivary cortisol level.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated a sustained reduction in depressive symptoms (8.3 percentage points reduction in the Average Zung Index; P < 0.05), with a significant improvement in self-image perception (25% increase in the average score obtained in the mirror test; P < 0.05) and a specific influence on salivary cortisol levels (55% reduction in salivary cortisol concentration; P < 0.05) after the first makeup application.

CONCLUSION

The results show that encouraging the frequent use of makeup, a practice that can be achieved by most people and which is simple and inexpensive to implement, can contribute to effective and sustainable improvement in the well-being and mental health of a significant portion of the population.

Menopause-Associated Depression: Impact of Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation on the Central Nervous System-A Review

Perimenopausal depression, occurring shortly before or after menopause, is characterized by symptoms such as emotional depression, anxiety, and stress, often accompanied by endocrine dysfunction, particularly hypogonadism and senescence. Current treatments for perimenopausal depression primarily provide symptomatic relief but often come with undesirable side effects. The development of agents targeting the specific pathologies of perimenopausal depression has been relatively slow. The erratic fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels during the perimenopausal stage expose women to the risk of developing perimenopausal-associated depression. These hormonal changes trigger the production of proinflammatory mediators and induce oxidative stress, leading to progressive neuronal damage. This review serves as a comprehensive overview of the underlying mechanisms contributing to perimenopausal depression. It aims to shed light on the complex relationship between perimenopausal hormones, neurotransmitters, brain-derived neurotrophic factors, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and perimenopausal depression. By summarizing the intricate interplay between hormonal fluctuations, neurotransmitter activity, brain-derived neurotrophic factors, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and perimenopausal depression, this review aims to stimulate further research in this field. The hope is that an increased understanding of these mechanisms will pave the way for the development of more effective therapeutic targets, ultimately reducing the risk of depression during the menopausal stage for the betterment of psychological wellbeing.

Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a widespread systemic disease characterized by a decrease in bone mass and an imbalance of the microarchitecture of bone tissue. Experimental and clinical studies devoted to investigating the main pathogenetic mechanisms of osteoporosis revealed the important role of estrogen deficiency, inflammation, oxidative stress, cellular senescence, and epigenetic factors in the development of bone resorption due to osteoclastogenesis, and decreased mineralization of bone tissue and bone formation due to reduced function of osteoblasts caused by apoptosis and age-depended differentiation of osteoblast precursors into adipocytes. The current review was conducted to describe the basic mechanisms of the development of osteoporosis at molecular and cellular levels and to elucidate the most promising therapeutic strategies of pathogenetic therapy of osteoporosis based on articles cited in PubMed up to September 2023.

Sociodemographic, Anthropometric, Body Composition, Nutritional, and Biochemical Factors Influenced by Age in a Postmenopausal Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Postmenopausal aging has become relevant for understanding health during the transition life stages-the aging process being involved in several disturbances of the human condition. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between postmenopausal aging and sociodemographic, anthropometric, body composition, nutritional, and biochemical (i.e., protein and lipid profiles, phosphorous-calcium metabolism, and antioxidant status) factors in postmenopausal women. This cross-sectional study enrolled 78 healthy postmenopausal women (44-76 years). The anthropometrical data showed no differences by age. Biochemical parameters, especially those involved in the protein and phosphorous-calcium metabolism, were influenced by age in our cohort of postmenopausal women. In contrast, no associations were found when considering lipid and antioxidant parameters. Height, fiber intake, blood glucose, protein profile and phosphorous-calcium metabolism markers seem to be the most affected nutritional-related factors by age in our cohort of healthy postmenopausal women. Primary prevention strategies focused on parameters at risk of disruption with postmenopausal aging are necessary to ensure the quality of life in older ages.

Selenium Levels based on Various Menopause Complaints Assessed by Menopause-specific Quality of Life Questionnaire before and after Selenium Intervention

BACKGROUND: Menopausal symptoms can greatly affect a woman’s personal, social, and work life. Selenium functions as a cofactor for glutathione peroxidase and helps minimize oxidative damage through cellular metabolism in postmenopausal women when estradiol production decreases, antioxidant protection is lost and therefore oxidative stress is increased. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluated effect of selenium supplementation on selenium levels based on menopausal complaints assessed by menopause-specific quality of life questionnaire (MENQOL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research is an analytical study with quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test one group only design. The research was conducted on all postmenopausal women in Medan who were aged >51-years-old and met inclusion and exclusion criteria. The research subjects underwent blood tests to assess serum selenium levels. If data were normally distributed, dependent T test will be used, while if data were not normally distributed, Wilcoxon test will be used. The analysis results were stated to be significant with p < 0.05. RESULTS: Mean selenium serum levels before selenium administration were 93.20 ± 17.253 μg/L which increased to 132.12 ± 19.866 μg/L after selenium administration. Comparison test results of selenium levels before and after administration found p = 0.000 (p < 0.05), which means there was a significant difference of selenium serum levels before and after selenium administration. Besides that, there were no significant scores difference in aspects of vasomotor disorders (p = 1.000 [p > 0.05]), psychosocial disorders (p = 0.090 [p > 0.05]), physical disorders (p = 0.323 [p > 0.05]), and sexual disorders (p = 0.959 [p > 0.05]) between before and after selenium administration. CONCLUSION: Total MENQOL scores and complaints based on aspects of vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, and sexual disturbances did not show statistically significant changes after administration selenium tablets 100 mcg/day for 7 days.

Relationship between Body Composition and Biochemical Parameters with Antioxidant Status in a Healthy Cohort of Postmenopausal Women

An adequate prooxidant–antioxidant balance—which may be influenced by body composition and biochemical status—is essential to maintain human health, especially in circumstances under which the antioxidant defense decreases, such as menopause. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between body composition and biochemical parameters with antioxidant status in a healthy cohort of postmenopausal women. This cross-sectional study was carried out in a cohort of 78 postmenopausal women aged 44–76 years. The body composition profile was assessed through bioelectrical impedance. The determination of the total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase activity was conducted by the colorimetric method, and glutathione peroxidase activity was determined by the enzymatic immunological method. The vitamin D levels were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The mineral status was assessed through flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The rest of the biochemical parameters were assessed through an immunoassay. The total antioxidant capacity and antioxidant gap were negatively influenced by body composition (all p ≤ 0.049) and positively related to protein metabolism parameters (all p ≤ 0.048), whereas circulating levels of different micronutrients (all p ≤ 0.048) and enzymes (all p ≤ 0.047) appeared to play an important role in the glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities. In conclusion, the menopause-related antioxidant status changes may be influenced by key body composition and biochemical profiles. To confirm this statement, further trials aiming to evaluate the body composition and biochemical intervention-induced changes upon antioxidant defense are needed.