scholarly journals Sex Differences and Menstrual Cycle Phase-Dependent Modulation of Craving for Cigarette: An fMRI Pilot Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrianna Mendrek ◽  
Laurence Dinh-Williams ◽  
Josiane Bourque ◽  
Stéphane Potvin
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Parietal Lobe ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Functional Neuroanatomy ◽  
Early Follicular Phase ◽  
Hormonal Fluctuations ◽  
Women And Girls ◽  
The Right

While overall more men than women smoke cigarettes, women and girls take less time to become dependent after initial use and have more difficulties quitting the habit. One of the factors contributing to these differences may be that women crave cigarettes more than men and that their desire to smoke is influenced by hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was twofold: (a) to examine potential sex/gender differences in functional neuroanatomy of craving and to (b) delineate neural correlates of cigarette cravings in women across their menstrual cycle. Fifteen tobacco-smoking men and 19 women underwent a functional MRI during presentation of neutral and smoking-related images, known to elicit craving. Women were tested twice: once during early follicular phase and once during midluteal phase of their menstrual cycle. The analysis did not reveal any significant sex differences in the cerebral activations associated with craving. Nevertheless, the pattern of activations in women varied across their menstrual cycle with significant activations in parts of the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobe, during follicular phase, and only limited activations in the right hippocampus during the luteal phase.

scholarly journals T141. EFFECTS OF MENSTRUAL CYCLE ON RESTING STATE FUNCTIONAL CONNECTIVITY IN SCHIZOPHRENIA: A FUNCTIONAL MRI STUDY

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S284-S285
Author(s):  
Handan Noyan ◽  
Andaç Hamamcı ◽  
Zeynep Fırat ◽  
Ayşegül Sarsılmaz Oygen ◽  
Alp Üçok
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Resting State ◽  
Ovarian Hormones ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Resting State Functional Connectivity ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
Early Follicular Phase ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background The menstrual cycle is a favorable model for examining the influence of ovarian hormones on cognition, emotion and brain functions. Ovarian hormones have substantial effects on task-related brain activity, but their impacts on functional connectivity at rest have been investigated by a few studies conducted with healthy individuals and these pre-existing findings are inconsistent. As for schizophrenia, different influences of ovarian hormones were reported. For instance, the estrogen hypothesis of schizophrenia has suggested that estrogen plays a neuroprotective role in the pathophysiology of this disorder. The present study investigates resting state functional connectivity (RS-FC) alterations related to menstrual cycle phase and/or hormone levels in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls and aims to contribute to the understanding of the effects of ovarian hormones on the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and brain functions. Methods The study was conducted with 13 women with schizophrenia (the mean of age: 32 ± 7.67) and 13 healthy women (the mean of age: 30.08 ± 7.27). Resting state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scanning, as well as hormonal and clinical assessments, were applied to each participant twice, during two menstrual cycle phases: early follicular (Days 2–6; low estrogen/progesterone) and mid-luteal (Days 20–22; high estrogen/progesterone). The serum hormone levels of estradiol, progesterone, prolactin (only in the patients), follicle-stimulating and luteinizing were assessed. The clinical assessment interviews included the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scales, the Clinical Global Impression (only for the patients), the Global Assessment of Functioning and the Calgary Depression Rating Scale for Schizophrenia (for both groups). Results Our findings revealed that no cycle phase-related alterations existed in RS-FC in both groups. However, specific correlations between each hormone and RS-FC were found in both cycle phases for two groups. In the patients, estrogen was positively correlated with the auditory network (AN) connectivity in the left amygdala at the early follicular phase. In the controls, the positive correlations to progesterone were found in the precuneus for the connectivity of the posterior default mode network (DMN) and the left-frontoparietal network (FPN) during the early follicular phase. Also, progesterone was negatively correlated with the executive control network (ECN) connectivity in the right superior frontal gyrus at the mid-luteal phase in the controls. Furthermore, the patients had lower progesterone levels during the mid-luteal phase compared to the controls (p<0.05). The severity of the psychotic symptoms of the patients didn’t change between the cycle phases. Discussion To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the influence of the menstrual cycle on the brain’s RS-FC in schizophrenia. Our results indicated that the effects of the menstrual cycle on RS-FC were more prominent in the controls rather than the patients with schizophrenia; and that the findings for the patient group may be associated with the additional mechanisms responsible from schizophrenia. This might imply that differentiating the menstrual cycle effects is difficult in a complex disorder such as schizophrenia. The results obtained from the controls are consistent with the previous findings indicating that the menstrual cycle effects might be associated with the connectivity of the DMN and cognition-related networks. Moreover, our results suggested that estrogen might have a modulating effect on the intrinsic functional connectivity changes in the patients, while progesterone, might mediate to that in the controls.

scholarly journals Ferritin status impact on hepcidin response to endurance exercise in physically active women along different phases of the menstrual cycle

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-27
Author(s):  
VM Alfaro Magallanes ◽  
L Barba Moreno ◽  
AB Peinado
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽  
Sexual Hormones ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
Post Exercise ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Early Follicular Phase ◽  
Response To Exercise

Serum ferritin has been proposed as a predictor of hepcidin concentrations in response to exercise. However, this fact has not been studied in physically-active women. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to analyse the hepcidin response at different ferritin status before and after running exercise in physically active females. Fifteen eumenorrheic women performed a 40-min running protocol at 75% of VO2peak speed in different menstrual cycle phases (early-follicular phase, mid-follicular phase and luteal phase). Blood samples were collected pre-exercise, 0h post-exercise and 3h post-exercise. For statistics, participants were divided into two groups according to their pre-exercise ferritin levels (<20 and ≥20 μg/L). Through menstrual cycle, hepcidin was lower in both early follicular phase (p=0.024; 64.81±22.48 ng/ml) and mid-follicular phase (p=0.007; 64.68±23.91 ng/ml) for <20 μg/L ferritin group, in comparison with ≥20 μg/L group (81.17±27.89 and 79.54±22.72 ng/ml, respectively). Hepcidin showed no differences between both ferritin groups in either pre-exercise, 0h post-exercise and 3h post-exercise. Additionally, no association between pre-exercise ferritin and hepcidin levels 3h post-exercise (r=-0.091; p=0.554) was found. Menstrual cycle phase appears to influence hepcidin levels depending on ferritin reserves. In particular, physically-active females with depleted ferritin reserves seems to present lower hepcidin levels during the early-follicular phase and mid-follicular phase. However, no association between ferritin and hepcidin levels was found in this study. Hence, ferritin levels alone may not be a good predictor of hepcidin response to exercise in this population. Multiple factors such as sexual hormones, training loads and menstrual bleeding must be taken into account.

scholarly journals The Effects of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Exercise Performance in Eumenorrheic Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (10) ◽  
pp. 1813-1827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Lee McNulty ◽  
Kirsty Jayne Elliott-Sale ◽  
Eimear Dolan ◽  
Paul Alan Swinton ◽  
Paul Ansdell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Exercise Performance ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Early Follicular Phase

Abstract Background Concentrations of endogenous sex hormones fluctuate across the menstrual cycle (MC), which could have implications for exercise performance in women. At present, data are conflicting, with no consensus on whether exercise performance is affected by MC phase. Objective To determine the effects of the MC on exercise performance and provide evidence-based, practical, performance recommendations to eumenorrheic women. Methods This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Four databases were searched for published experimental studies that investigated the effects of the MC on exercise performance, which included at least one outcome measure taken in two or more defined MC phases. All data were meta-analysed using multilevel models grounded in Bayesian principles. The initial meta-analysis pooled pairwise effect sizes comparing exercise performance during the early follicular phase with all other phases (late follicular, ovulation, early luteal, mid-luteal and late luteal) amalgamated. A more comprehensive analysis was then conducted, comparing exercise performance between all phases with direct and indirect pairwise effect sizes through a network meta-analysis. Results from the network meta-analysis were summarised by calculating the Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking curve (SUCRA). Study quality was assessed using a modified Downs and Black checklist and a strategy based on the recommendations of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) working group. Results Of the 78 included studies, data from 51 studies were eligible for inclusion in the initial pairwise meta-analysis. The three-level hierarchical model indicated a trivial effect for both endurance- and strength-based outcomes, with reduced exercise performance observed in the early follicular phase of the MC, based on the median pooled effect size (ES0.5 = − 0.06 [95% credible interval (CrI): − 0.16 to 0.04]). Seventy-three studies had enough data to be included in the network meta-analysis. The largest effect was identified between the early follicular and the late follicular phases of the MC (ES0.5 = − 0.14 [95% CrI: − 0.26 to − 0.03]). The lowest SUCRA value, which represents the likelihood that exercise performance is poor, or among the poorest, relative to other MC phases, was obtained for the early follicular phase (30%), with values for all other phases ranging between 53 and 55%. The quality of evidence for this review was classified as “low” (42%). Conclusion The results from this systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that exercise performance might be trivially reduced during the early follicular phase of the MC, compared to all other phases. Due to the trivial effect size, the large between-study variation and the number of poor-quality studies included in this review, general guidelines on exercise performance across the MC cannot be formed; rather, it is recommended that a personalised approach should be taken based on each individual's response to exercise performance across the MC.

scholarly journals Methodological Approach of the Iron and Muscular Damage: Female Metabolism and Menstrual Cycle during Exercise Project (IronFEMME Study)

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 735
Author(s):  
Ana B. Peinado ◽  
Victor M. Alfaro-Magallanes ◽  
Nuria Romero-Parra ◽  
Laura Barba-Moreno ◽  
Beatriz Rael ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Resistance Exercise ◽  
Muscle Damage ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Iron Metabolism ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Exercise Protocol

Background: The increase in exercise levels in the last few years among professional and recreational female athletes has led to an increased scientific interest about sports health and performance in the female athlete population. The purpose of the IronFEMME Study described in this protocol article is to determine the influence of different hormonal profiles on iron metabolism in response to endurance exercise, and the main markers of muscle damage in response to resistance exercise; both in eumenorrheic, oral contraceptive (OC) users and postmenopausal well-trained women. Methods: This project is an observational controlled randomized counterbalanced study. One hundered and four (104) active and healthy women were selected to participate in the IronFEMME Study, 57 of which were eumenorrheic, 31 OC users and 16 postmenopausal. The project consisted of two sections carried out at the same time: iron metabolism (study I) and muscle damage (study II). For the study I, the exercise protocol consisted of an interval running test (eight bouts of 3 min at 85% of the maximal aerobic speed), whereas the study II protocol was an eccentric-based resistance exercise protocol (10 sets of 10 repetitions of plate-loaded barbell parallel back squats at 60% of their one repetition maximum (1RM) with 2 min of recovery between sets). In both studies, eumenorrheic participants were evaluated at three specific moments of the menstrual cycle: early-follicular phase, late-follicular phase and mid-luteal phase; OC users performed the trial at two moments: withdrawal phase and active pill phase. Lastly, postmenopausal women were only tested once, since their hormonal status does not fluctuate. The three-step method was used to verify the menstrual cycle phase: calendar counting, blood test confirmation, and urine-based ovulation kits. Blood samples were obtained to measure sex hormones, iron metabolism parameters, and muscle damage related markers. Discussion: IronFEMME Study has been designed to increase the knowledge regarding the influence of sex hormones on some aspects of the exercise-related female physiology. Iron metabolism and exercise-induced muscle damage will be studied considering the different reproductive status present throughout well-trained females’ lifespan.

scholarly journals Injury Incidence Across the Menstrual Cycle in International Footballers

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Martin ◽  
Kate Timmins ◽  
Charlotte Cowie ◽  
Jon Alty ◽  
Ritan Mehta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Tendon Injuries ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Injury Incidence ◽  
Rate Ratios ◽  
Late Follicular Phase

Objectives: This study aimed to assess how menstrual cycle phase and extended menstrual cycle length influence the incidence of injuries in international footballers.Methods: Over a 4-year period, injuries from England international footballers at training camps or matches were recorded, alongside self-reported information on menstrual cycle characteristics at the point of injury. Injuries in eumenorrheic players were categorized into early follicular, late follicular, or luteal phase. Frequencies were also compared between injuries recorded during the typical cycle and those that occurred after the cycle would be expected to have finished. Injury incidence rates (per 1,000 person days) and injury incidence rate ratios were calculated for each phase for all injuries and injuries stratified by type.Results: One hundred fifty-six injuries from 113 players were eligible for analysis. Injury incidence rates per 1,000 person-days were 31.9 in the follicular, 46.8 in the late follicular, and 35.4 in the luteal phase, resulting in injury incidence rate ratios of 1.47 (Late follicular:Follicular), 1.11 (Luteal:Follicular), and 0.76 (Luteal:Late follicular). Injury incident rate ratios showed that muscle and tendon injury rates were 88% greater in the late follicular phase compared to the follicular phase, with muscle rupture/tear/strain/cramps and tendon injuries/ruptures occurring over twice as often during the late follicular phase compared to other phases 20% of injuries were reported as occurring when athletes were “overdue” menses.Conclusion: Muscle and tendon injuries occurred almost twice as often in the late follicular phase compared to the early follicular or luteal phase. Injury risk may be elevated in typically eumenorrheic women in the days after their next menstruation was expected to start.

Changes in hormonal concentrations after different heavy-resistance exercise protocols in women

1993 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 594-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Kraemer ◽  
S. J. Fleck ◽  
J. E. Dziados ◽  
E. A. Harman ◽  
L. J. Marchitelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Rest Period ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Factor I ◽  
Rest Periods ◽  
Early Follicular Phase ◽  
In Series ◽  
Heavy Resistance Exercise ◽  
Blood Variables

Nine eumenorrheic women (age 24.11 +/- 4.28 yr) performed each of six randomly assigned heavy-resistance protocols (HREPs) on separate days during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. The HREPs consisted of two series [series 1 (strength, S) and series 2 (hypertrophy, H)] of three protocols, each using identically ordered exercises controlled for load [5 vs. 10 repetitions maximum (RM)], rest period length (1 vs. 3 min), and total work (J) within each three-protocol series. Blood measures were determined pre-, mid- (after 4 of 8 exercises), and postexercise (0, 5, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 min and 24 and 48 h). In series 1, a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in growth hormone (GH) was observed at 90 min postexercise for all three protocols. In series 2, the 10-RM protocol with 1-min rest periods (H10/1) produced significant increases above rest in GH concentrations at 0, 5, and 15 min postexercise, and the H10/1 and H5/1 protocols demonstrated significant reductions at 90 and 120 min postexercise. Cortisol demonstrated significant increases in response to the S10/3 protocol at 0 min, to the H10/1 protocol at midexercise and at 0 and 5 min postexercise, and to the H5/1 protocol at 5 and 15 min postexercise. No significant changes were observed in total insulin-like growth factor I, total testosterone, urea, or creatinine for any of the HREPs. Significant elevations in whole blood lactate and ammonia along with significant reductions in blood glucose were observed. Hormonal and metabolic blood variables measured in the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle varied in response to different HREPs. The most dramatic increases above resting concentrations were observed with the H10/1 protocol, indicating that the more glycolytic HREPs may stimulate greater GH and cortisol increases.

scholarly journals Menstrual Cycle and Surgical Treatment of Breast Cancer: Findings From the NCCTG N9431 Study

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (22) ◽  
pp. 3620-3626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clive S. Grant ◽  
James N. Ingle ◽  
Vera J. Suman ◽  
Daniel A. Dumesic ◽  
D. Lawrence Wickerham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Adjuvant Radiation ◽  
Menstrual Phase ◽  
Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽  
Hormone Levels ◽  
Menstrual History

Purpose For nearly two decades, multiple retrospective reports, small prospective studies, and meta-analyses have arrived at conflicting results regarding the value of timing surgical intervention for breast cancer on the basis of menstrual cycle phase. We present the results of a multi–cooperative group, prospective, observational trial of menstrual cycle phase and outcome after breast cancer surgery, led by the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) in collaboration with the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) and the International Breast Cancer Study Group (IBCSG). Patients and Methods Premenopausal women age 18 to 55 years, who were interviewed for menstrual history and who were surgically treated for stages I to II breast cancer, had serum drawn within 1 day of surgery for estradiol, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone levels. Menstrual history and hormone levels were used to determine menstrual phase: luteal, follicular, and other. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were determined by Kaplan-Meier method and were compared by using the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard modeling. Results Of 1,118 women initially enrolled, 834 women comprised the study cohort: 230 (28%) in luteal phase; 363 (44%) in follicular phase; and 241 grouped as other. During a median follow-up of 6.6 years, and in analysis that accounted for nodal disease, estrogen receptor status, adjuvant radiation therapy or chemotherapy, neither DFS nor OS differed with respect to menstrual phase. The 5-year DFS rates were 82.7%, 82.1%, and 79.2% for follicular, luteal, or other phases, respectively. Corresponding OS survival rates were 91.9%, 92.2%, and 91.8%, respectively. Conclusion When menstrual cycle phases were strictly defined, neither DFS nor OS differed between women who underwent surgery during the follicular phase versus the luteal phase. Nearly 30% of the patients did not meet criteria for either follicular- or luteal-phase categories.

P–647 How do migraine attacks change during puberty?

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Boettcher ◽  
A Kyprianou ◽  
L Wildt ◽  
C Lechner ◽  
M Kößler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Tanner Stage ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Adolescent Medicine ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Reliable Technique ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
Daily Headache

Abstract Study question How do the stage of puberty and the menstrual cycle influence characteristics of migraine? Summary answer During puberty, the frequency of migraine attacks increases, especially during the follicular phase. The pattern of migraine changes to a typical adult pattern of migraine. What is known already Up to puberty, headaches are as common in girls as in boys. After the onset of puberty migraine is more prevalent in adolescent girls suggesting an association with sex hormones. Attacks of menstrual migraine are characterized by a longer duration, tend to be more severe, and are less responsive to acute medication compared to migraine attacks which are independent from the menstrual cycle phase. Study design, size, duration For this prospective cohort study 47 girls were recruited from two Departments of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine between 01/2016 and 12/2018. Participants/materials, setting, methods Girls between 7 and 18 years old, diagnosed with migraine without aura according to the “International Classification of Headache Disorders II” diagnostic criteria, took part. Three groups (pre-, peri-, and postpubertal) were formed according to the Tanner stage and the onset of a regular menstruation. Girls kept a daily headache and menstrual cycle diary over 8 weeks. Ovulatory cycles were analyzed by weekly progesterone saliva tests. Main results and the role of chance Three groups according to Tanner stage and onset of regular menstruation were compared: pre- (n = 16), peri- (n = 19) and post-pubertal (n = 12) girls. A significant difference in migraine frequency was found between pre- and post- pubertal girls (p = 0.005). Headache characteristics did not differ significantly between the three groups. Interestingly, a higher frequency of attacks in follicular phase occurred compared to luteal phase (p = 0.030). Limitations, reasons for caution Repeated blood sampling would have been a more reliable technique compared to saliva assays. The sample size is small. Wider implications of the findings: During puberty, the number of migraine attacks but not the specific headache characteristics changes in adolescent girls which should be taken into consideration regarding the management of these patients. Trial registration number AN2013–0027

Brain activation during emotion regulation in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (11) ◽  
pp. 1795-1802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Petersen ◽  
Dara G. Ghahremani ◽  
Andrea J. Rapkin ◽  
Steven M. Berman ◽  
Letty Liang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Region Of Interest ◽  
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Precentral Gyrus ◽  
Affective Symptoms ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽  
The Right

AbstractBackgroundDifficulties in regulating emotions are linked to the core symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). We therefore investigated the neural substrates of emotion-regulation problems in women with PMDD.MethodsOn the basis of self-evaluations over 2 months on the Daily Record of Severity of Problems, eligible participants were assigned to two groups: PMDD and control (18 per group). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a well-validated task were used to assess brain function during emotion regulation. Participants were tested twice, once during the follicular (asymptomatic) and once in the late luteal (symptomatic) phase of the menstrual cycle.ResultsWomen with PMDD gave higher ratings of negative affect in the luteal phase than in the follicular phase, and compared with healthy control participants during the luteal phase. A region-of-interest fMRI analysis indicated that during the late luteal phase, women with PMDD had hypoactivation in right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) during all conditions of the emotion-regulation task, not only in the contrast that isolated emotion regulation. An exploratory whole-brain, voxel-wise analysis showed that women with PMDD had less activation in the precentral gyrus during the luteal phase than the follicular phase, and less activation in the postcentral gyrus compared with control participants.ConclusionsDuring the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, women with PMDD experience difficulty regulating emotions. Hypoactivation in the right dlPFC may contribute to this problem, but may be related more generally to other affective symptoms of PMDD. Hypofunction in the right pre- and postcentral gyri warrants additional study.

scholarly journals ADMA concentration changes across the menstrual cycle and during oral contraceptive use: the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

2010 ◽  
Vol 162 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pirjo Valtonen ◽  
Kari Punnonen ◽  
Heli Saarelainen ◽  
Nonna Heiskanen ◽  
Olli T Raitakari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Contraceptive ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Brachial Artery ◽  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Brachial Artery Diameter ◽  
Concentration Changes ◽  
Adma Concentration

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels during different menstrual cycle phases in young adult women with or without oral contraceptive (OC) use.Design and methodsThe subjects (n=1079) originated from a large population-based, prospective cohort study conducted in Finland. Plasma ADMA, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), l-arginine, C-reactive protein, creatinine, and brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) were measured. The use of OCs and menstrual cycle phase were determined from a questionnaire.ResultsIn non-OC users, ADMA (P=0.017), l-arginine (P=0.002), and ADMA/SDMA ratio (P<0.001) were significantly lower in the luteal phase than in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Non-OC users also had significantly higher ADMA and SDMA concentrations (P<0.001) and lower l-arginine concentrations (P<0.001) compared to OC users of estrogen-containing pills. Progestin-only contraceptive pills (POPs) did not lower the ADMA level, but maintained it at the same level as in non-OC users. In OC users, there were no significant differences found in ADMA, FMD, or FMD% across menstrual cycle, whereas brachial artery diameter was significantly more decreased in the luteal phase (P=0.013) than in the follicular phase.ConclusionWe observed that the circulating ADMA concentration varies across the menstrual cycle in young women not using OCs, and women on OCs displayed significantly lower circulating ADMA concentrations than non-OC users, though this was not the case with POP contraception.

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