scholarly journals The Role of Fetuin-A in Disease Processes Prevalent in Postmenopausal Women (El papel de la fetuina A en los procesos de enfermedad prevalentes en mujeres posmenopáusicas)

Retos ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 172-179
Author(s):  
Annie A. Bane ◽  
Peter W. Grandjean

The purpose of this review is to summarize the role of fetuin-A in disease processes prevalent in postmenopausal women and synthesize effective interventions in obtaining healthy fetuin-A levels. A review of databases for articles related to fetuin-A and diseases associated with postmenopausal women was conducted. Articles were limited to full-text access, published in English since 1944. High fetuin-A levels are closely associated with decreased bone mineral density, increased cardiovascular disease risks, impairment of insulin signaling and disruption of adipocyte functioning. Postmenopausal women have increased risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, insulin-resistance, intra-abdominal fat accumulation and vascular calcification. Low-levels of fetuin-A have been shown to be protective against the latter. The role of fetuin-A is multi-factorial and the mechanisms in which it is involved in each of these processes are vast. The present body of literature is inconsistent in defining high versus low levels of fetuin-A and their association with healthy-matched controls. The diseases associated with high levels of fetuin-A mimic diseases most prevalent in postmenopausal women. In addition, there is no research, to date, exploring fetuin-A levels in postmenopausal women and the associations it may or may not have in related diseases.Key words: fetuin-A; Alpha2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein; cardiovascular disease; and elderly, insulin-resistance, intra-abdominal fat, metabolic syndrome, exercise, weight-loss, calorie restriction and postmenopausal.Resumen. El propósito de esta revisión es sintetizar el papel de la fetuina A en los procesos de enfermedad prevalentes en mujeres posmenopáusicas y resumir las intervenciones efectivas que permiten obtener niveles saludables de fetuina A. Para ello, se revisaron bases de datos con artículos relacionados con fetuina A y las enfermedades asociadas con mujeres posmenopáusicas. La búsqueda de artículos se limitó a aquellos de texto completo publicados en el idioma inglés desde el año 1944. Se encontró que altos niveles de fetuina A están íntimamente relacionados con una reducción de la densidad mineral ósea, un aumento en el riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular, deterioro de la señalización de la insulina y la alteración del funcionamiento de los adipocitos. Las mujeres posmenopáusicas tienen un mayor riesgo de osteoporosis, enfermedad cardiovascular, resistencia a la insulina, acumulación de grasa intra abdominal y calcificación vascular. Se ha demostrado que niveles bajos de fetuina A son protectores contra esta última condición. El papel de fetuina A es multifactorial y los mecanismos en los que está involucrado en cada uno de estos procesos son muy amplios. El estado actual de la literatura no es consistente en la definición de niveles de fetuina A altos versus bajos y su asociación con controles sanos. Las enfermedades asociadas con altos niveles de fetuina A asemejan las enfermedades más prevalentes en mujeres posmenopáusicas. Además, no existen investigaciones, hasta la fecha, en las que se   exploren los niveles de fetuina A en mujeres posmenopáusicas y las asociaciones que puede o no puede tener en las enfermedades relacionadas.Palabras claves: fetuina A, glicoproteína Alpha2-Heremans-Schmid, enfermedad cardiovascular, adulto mayor, resistencia a la insulina, grasa intra abdominal, síndrome metabólico, ejercicio, pérdida de peso, restricción calórica, posmenopausia.

2006 ◽  
Vol 154 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenora M Camarate S M Leão ◽  
Mônica Peres C Duarte ◽  
Dalva Margareth B Silva ◽  
Paulo Roberto V Bahia ◽  
Cláudia Medina Coeli ◽  
...  

Background: There has been a growing interest in treating postmenopausal women with androgens. However, hyperandrogenemia in females has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Objective: We aimed to assess the effects of androgen replacement on cardiovascular risk factors. Design: Thirty-seven postmenopausal women aged 42–62 years that had undergone hysterectomy were prospectively enrolled in a double-blind protocol to receive, for 12 months, percutaneous estradiol (E2) (1 mg/day) combined with either methyltestosterone (MT) (1.25 mg/day) or placebo. Methods: Along with treatment, we evaluated serum E2, testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index, lipids, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein; glucose tolerance; insulin resistance; blood pressure; body-mass index; and visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat mass as assessed by computed tomography. Results: A significant reduction in SHBG (P < 0.001) and increase in free testosterone index (P < 0.05; Repeated measures analysis of variance) were seen in the MT group. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, fibrinogen, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly lowered to a similar extent by both regimens, but high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased only in the androgen group. MT-treated women showed a modest rise in body weight and gained visceral fat mass relative to the other group (P < 0.05), but there were no significant detrimental effects on fasting insulin levels and insulin resistance. Conclusion: This study suggests that the combination of low-dose oral MT and percutaneous E2, for 1 year, does not result in expressive increase of cardiovascular risk factors. This regimen can be recommended for symptomatic postmenopausal women, although it seems prudent to perform baseline and follow-up lipid profile and assessment of body composition, especially in those at high risk of cardiovascular disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1933-1943 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongshan Zhu ◽  
Hsin-Fang Chung ◽  
Annette J Dobson ◽  
Nirmala Pandeya ◽  
Eric J Brunner ◽  
...  

Abstract STUDY QUESTION How does the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) vary with type and age of menopause? SUMMARY ANSWER Earlier surgical menopause (e.g. &lt;45 years) poses additional increased risk of incident CVD events, compared to women with natural menopause at the same age, and HRT use reduced the risk of CVD in women with early surgical menopause. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Earlier age at menopause has been linked to an increased risk of CVD mortality and all-cause mortality, but the extent that this risk of CVD varies by type of menopause and the role of postmenopausal HRT use in reducing this risk is unclear. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Pooled individual-level data of 203 767 postmenopausal women from 10 observational studies that contribute to the International collaboration for a Life course Approach to reproductive health and Chronic disease Events (InterLACE) consortium were included in the analysis. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Postmenopausal women who had reported menopause (type and age of menopause) and information on non-fatal CVD events were included. Type of menopause (natural menopause and surgical menopause) and age at menopause (categorised as &lt;35, 35–39, 40–44, 45–49, 50–54 and ≥55 years) were exposures of interest. Natural menopause was defined as absence of menstruation over a period of 12 months (no hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy) and surgical menopause as removal of both ovaries. The study outcome was the first non-fatal CVD (defined as either incident coronary heart disease (CHD) or stroke) event ascertained from hospital medical records or self-reported. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CI for non-fatal CVD events associated with natural menopause and surgical menopause. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Compared with natural menopause, surgical menopause was associated with over 20% higher risk of CVD (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.16–1.28). After the stratified analysis by age at menopause, a graded relationship for incident CVD was observed with lower age at menopause in both types of natural and surgical menopause. There was also a significant interaction between type of menopause and age at menopause (P &lt; 0.001). Compared with natural menopause at 50–54 years, women with surgical menopause before 35 (2.55, 2.22–2.94) and 35–39 years (1.91, 1.71–2.14) had higher risk of CVD than those with natural menopause (1.59, 1.23–2.05 and 1.51, 1.33–1.72, respectively). Women who experienced surgical menopause at earlier age (&lt;50 years) and took HRT had lower risk of incident CHD than those who were not users of HRT. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Self-reported data on type and age of menopause, no information on indication for the surgery (e.g. endometriosis and fibroids) and the exclusion of fatal CVD events may bias our results. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS In clinical practice, women who experienced natural menopause or had surgical menopause at an earlier age need close monitoring and engagement for preventive health measures and early diagnosis of CVD. Our findings also suggested that timing of menopause should be considered as an important factor in risk assessment of CVD for women. The findings on CVD lend some support to the position that elective bilateral oophorectomy (surgical menopause) at hysterectomy for benign diseases should be discouraged based on an increased risk of CVD. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) InterLACE project is funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council project grant (APP1027196). GDM is supported by Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Principal Research Fellowship (APP1121844). There are no competing interests.


2004 ◽  
Vol 89 (12) ◽  
pp. 6239-6243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myles Wolf ◽  
Carl A. Hubel ◽  
Chun Lam ◽  
Marybeth Sampson ◽  
Jeffrey L. Ecker ◽  
...  

Abstract Altered angiogenesis and insulin resistance are associated with preeclampsia and cardiovascular disease (CVD), and women with preeclampsia appear to be at increased risk of future CVD. We hypothesized that these factors are detectable in asymptomatic postpartum women with a history of preeclampsia and may represent pathophysiological mechanisms bridging preeclampsia and future CVD. We measured fasting insulin, glucose, vascular endothelial growth factor, and its circulating inhibitor, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1) in 29 normotensive women with a history of preeclampsia and 32 women with prior normotensive pregnancies at 18.0 ± 9.7 months postpartum. The homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMAIR) [(insulin [microunits per milliliter] × glucose [millimoles per liter])/22.5] was calculated. Compared with women with normal pregnancies, women with prior preeclampsia had significantly increased levels of sFlt-1 (41.6 ± 6.7 vs. 30.4 ± 10.2; P &lt; 0.01) and median HOMAIR (2.8 vs. 1.9; P = 0.04). Membership in the upper quartile of either sFlt-1 or HOMAIR was associated with prior preeclampsia (odds ratio 5.7; 95% confidence interval 1.7, 20.0; P &lt; 0.01), and all five women in the upper quartiles of both sFlt-1 and HOMAIR had a history of preeclampsia. Women with a history of preeclampsia demonstrate altered expression of angiogenesis-related proteins and increased HOMAIR more than 1 yr postpartum. These factors may contribute to their risk of future CVD.


2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 669-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serpil Erdogan ◽  
Sevilay Sezer ◽  
Eralp Baser ◽  
Ozlem Gun-Eryilmaz ◽  
Tayfun Gungor ◽  
...  

Insulin resistance is a well-documented risk factor for the development of endometrial cancer. Adiponectin and vaspin are insulin-sensitizing proteins that are secreted from adipose tissue. A clear association between serum levels of adipokines and endometrial cancer has yet to be established. The study group consisted of postmenopausal women with confirmed endometrial cancer, whereas patients with benign endometrial conditions constituted the control group. The two groups were compared in terms of insulin resistance and serum levels of adiponectin and vaspin. A total of 60 patients with confirmed endometrial cancer and 70 controls with benign endometrial conditions (polyps and atrophy) were enrolled. Median homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance value was significantly higher in the study group compared with the control group (2.93 vs 1.27, P<0.0001), whereas mean quantitative insulin sensitivity check index value was significantly lower (0.33±0.02 vs 0.37±0.37, P<0.0001). Median values for both adiponectin and vaspin were significantly lower in patients with endometrial cancer compared with the control group (4.09 vs 17.13 μg/ml, P<0.0001 and 0.21 vs 0.39 ng/ml, P<0.0001 respectively). Low levels of both adiponectin and vaspin were found to be significantly associated with an increased risk for endometrial cancer. Following adjustment for confounding factors, the respective odds ratios for endometrial cancer in patients in the first tertile compared with those in the third tertile were 10.80 (2.76–42.24; P=0.001) and 13.23 (2.94–59.64; P=0.001). Our results show that lower levels of circulating adiponectin and vaspin levels are associated with an increased risk of developing endometrial cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4620
Author(s):  
Holly J. Woodward ◽  
Dongxing Zhu ◽  
Patrick W. F. Hadoke ◽  
Victoria E. MacRae

Sex differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD), including aortic stenosis, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular calcification, are well documented. High levels of testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular calcification, whilst estrogen, the primary female sex hormone, is considered cardioprotective. Current understanding of sexual dimorphism in cardiovascular calcification is still very limited. This review assesses the evidence that the actions of sex hormones influence the development of cardiovascular calcification. We address the current question of whether sex hormones could play a role in the sexual dimorphism seen in cardiovascular calcification, by discussing potential mechanisms of actions of sex hormones and evidence in pre-clinical research. More advanced investigations and understanding of sex hormones in calcification could provide a better translational outcome for those suffering with cardiovascular calcification.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-122
Author(s):  
A. Hartley ◽  
C. L. Gregson ◽  
L. Paternoster ◽  
J. H. Tobias

Abstract Purpose of Review This paper reviews how bone genetics has contributed to our understanding of the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. As well as identifying specific genetic mechanisms involved in osteoporosis which also contribute to osteoarthritis, we review whether bone mineral density (BMD) plays a causal role in OA development. Recent Findings We examined whether those genetically predisposed to elevated BMD are at increased risk of developing OA, using our high bone mass (HBM) cohort. HBM individuals were found to have a greater prevalence of OA compared with family controls and greater development of radiographic features of OA over 8 years, with predominantly osteophytic OA. Initial Mendelian randomisation analysis provided additional support for a causal effect of increased BMD on increased OA risk. In contrast, more recent investigation estimates this relationship to be bi-directional. However, both these findings could be explained instead by shared biological pathways. Summary Pathways which contribute to BMD appear to play an important role in OA development, likely reflecting shared common mechanisms as opposed to a causal effect of raised BMD on OA. Studies in HBM individuals suggest this reflects an important role of mechanisms involved in bone formation in OA development; however further work is required to establish whether the same applies to more common forms of OA within the general population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuan Cai ◽  
Jun Dong ◽  
Teng Lu ◽  
Liqiang Zhi ◽  
Xijing He

Abstract Background Osteoporosis (OP) is a complex bone metabolism disorder characterized by the loss of bone minerals and an increased risk of bone fracture. A recent study reported the relationship of the macrophage erythroblast attacher gene (MAEA) with low bone mineral density in postmenopausal Japanese women. Our study aimed to investigate the association of MAEA with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) in Han Chinese individuals. Methods A total of 968 unrelated postmenopausal Chinese women comprising 484 patients with PMOP and 484 controls were recruited. Four tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that covered the gene region of MAEA were chosen for genotyping. Single SNP and haplotypic association analyses were performed, and analysis of variance was conducted to test the correlation between blood MAEA protein level and genotypes of associated SNPs. Results SNP rs6815464 was significantly associated with the risk of PMOP. The C allele of rs6815464 was strongly correlated with the decreased risk of PMOP in our study subjects (OR[95% CI]=0.75[0.63-0.89], P=0.0015). Significant differences in MAEA protein blood levels among genotypes of SNP rs6815464 were identified in both the PMOP (F=6.82, P=0.0012) and control groups (F=11.5, P=0.00001). The C allele was positively associated with decreased MAEA protein levels in blood. Conclusion This case-control study on Chinese postmenopausal women suggested an association between SNP rs6815464 of MAEA and PMOP. Further analyses showed that genotypes of SNP rs6815464 were also associated with the blood level of MAEA protein.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva O. Melin ◽  
Jonatan Dereke ◽  
Magnus Hillman

Abstract Background Low levels of the soluble tumour necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) and depression are linked to cardiovascular disease. Galectin-3, inadequate glycemic control and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels were previously linked to depression in these patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The main aim was to explore whether sTWEAK was associated with depression. A secondary aim was to explore diabetes related variables associated with low sTWEAK. Methods Cross-sectional design. T1DM patients (n = 283, men 56%, age18–59 years) were consecutively recruited from one specialist diabetes clinic. Depression was defined as Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression sub scale ≥8 points. Blood samples, anthropometrics and blood pressure were collected, supplemented with data from electronic health records. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays were used to measure sTWEAK and galectin-3. Low sTWEAK was defined as < 7.2 ng/ml and high galectin-3 as ≥2.6 ng/ml. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed, calibrated and validated for goodness of fit. We adjusted for age, sex, diabetes duration, galectin-3, metabolic variables, serum-creatinine, smoking, physical inactivity, medication, and cardiovascular complications. Results For 29 depressed versus 254 non-depressed patients the prevalence rates were for low sTWEAK: 93 and 68% (p = 0.003) and for high galectin-3: 34 and 13% (p = 0.005) respectively. HDL-cholesterol levels were lower for the depressed (p = 0.015). Patients with low sTWEAK versus high sTWEAK had lower usage of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) (6% versus 17%, p = 0.005). Low sTWEAK (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 9.0, p = 0.006), high galectin-3 (AOR 6.3, p = 0.001), HDL-cholesterol (per mmol/l) (AOR 0.1, p = 0.006), use of antidepressants (AOR 8.4, p < 0.001), and age (per year) (AOR 1.05, p = 0.027) were associated with depression. CSII (AOR 0.3, p = 0.003) and depression (AOR 7.1, p = 0.009) were associated with low sTWEAK. Conclusions Lower levels of sTWEAK and HDL-cholesterol and higher levels of galectin-3 were independently associated with depression in T1DM. These factors might all contribute to the increased risk for cardiovascular disease and mortality previously demonstrated in patients with depression. CSII (inversely) and depression were independently associated with low sTWEAK levels.


2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 582-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Ruiz-Canela ◽  
Estefania Toledo ◽  
Clary B Clish ◽  
Adela Hruby ◽  
Liming Liang ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND The role of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) in cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that baseline BCAA concentrations predict future risk of CVD and that a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) intervention may counteract this effect. METHODS We developed a case-cohort study within the Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea (PREDIMED), with 226 incident CVD cases and 744 noncases. We used LC-MS/MS to measure plasma BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine, and valine), both at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up. The primary outcome was a composite of incident stroke, myocardial infarction, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS After adjustment for potential confounders, baseline leucine and isoleucine concentrations were associated with higher CVD risk: the hazard ratios (HRs) for the highest vs lowest quartile were 1.70 (95% CI, 1.05–2.76) and 2.09 (1.27–3.44), respectively. Stronger associations were found for stroke. For both CVD and stroke, we found higher HRs across successive quartiles of BCAAs in the control group than in the MedDiet groups. With stroke as the outcome, a significant interaction (P = 0.009) between baseline BCAA score and intervention with MedDiet was observed. No significant effect of the intervention on 1-year changes in BCAAs or any association between 1-year changes in BCAAs and CVD were observed. CONCLUSIONS Higher concentrations of baseline BCAAs were associated with increased risk of CVD, especially stroke, in a high cardiovascular risk population. A Mediterranean-style diet had a negligible effect on 1-year changes in BCAAs, but it may counteract the harmful effects of BCAAs on stroke.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document