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Chen L, Xu T, Lou J, Zhang T, Wu S, Xie R, Xu J. The beneficial roles and mechanisms of estrogens in immune health and infection disease. Steroids 2024; 207:109426. [PMID: 38685461 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2024.109426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Multiple epidemiologic studies have revealed that gender is considered one of the important factors in the frequency and severity of certain infectious diseases, in which estrogens may play a vital role. There is growing evidence that estrogens as female sex hormone can modulate multiple biological functions outside of the reproductive system, such as in brain and cardiovascular system. However, it is largely unknown about the roles and mechanisms of estrogens/estrogen receptors in immune health and infection disease. Thence, by reading a lot of literature, we summarized the regulatory mechanisms of estrogens/estrogen receptors in immune cells and their roles in certain infectious diseases with gender differences. Therefore, estrogens may have therapeutic potentials to prevent and treat these infectious diseases, which needs further clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Jun Lou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Sheng Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Liupanshui People's Hospital, Liupanshui City 553000, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Rui Xie
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
| | - Jingyu Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China.
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Sommer B, González-Ávila G, Flores-Soto E, Montaño LM, Solís-Chagoyán H, Romero-Martínez BS. Phytoestrogen-Based Hormonal Replacement Therapy Could Benefit Women Suffering Late-Onset Asthma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15335. [PMID: 37895016 PMCID: PMC10607548 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been observed that plasmatic concentrations of estrogens, progesterone, or both correlate with symptoms in asthmatic women. Fluctuations in female sex steroid concentrations during menstrual periods are closely related to asthma symptoms, while menopause induces severe physiological changes that might require hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), that could influence asthma symptoms in these women. Late-onset asthma (LOA) has been categorized as a specific asthmatic phenotype that includes menopausal women and novel research regarding therapeutic alternatives that might provide relief to asthmatic women suffering LOA warrants more thorough and comprehensive analysis. Therefore, the present review proposes phytoestrogens as a promising HRT that might provide these females with relief for both their menopause and asthma symptoms. Besides their well-recognized anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities, phytoestrogens activate estrogen receptors and promote mild hormone-like responses that benefit postmenopausal women, particularly asthmatics, constituting therefore a very attractive potential therapy largely due to their low toxicity and scarce side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Sommer
- Departamento de Investigación en Hiperreactividad Bronquial, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias ‘Ismael Cosio Villegas’, Calzada de Tlalpan 4502, Colonia Sección XVI, Mexico City CP 14080, Mexico
| | - Georgina González-Ávila
- Laboratorio de Oncología Biomédica, Departamento de Enfermedades Crónico Degenerativas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias ‘Ismael Cosio Villegas’, Mexico City CP 14080, Mexico;
| | - Edgar Flores-Soto
- Departmento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City CP 04510, Mexico; (E.F.-S.); (L.M.M.); (B.S.R.-M.)
| | - Luis M. Montaño
- Departmento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City CP 04510, Mexico; (E.F.-S.); (L.M.M.); (B.S.R.-M.)
| | - Héctor Solís-Chagoyán
- Neurociencia Cognitiva Evolutiva, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Cognitivas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca CP 62209, Morelos, Mexico;
| | - Bianca S. Romero-Martínez
- Departmento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City CP 04510, Mexico; (E.F.-S.); (L.M.M.); (B.S.R.-M.)
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The macrophage senescence hypothesis: the role of poor heat shock response in pulmonary inflammation and endothelial dysfunction following chronic exposure to air pollution. Inflamm Res 2022; 71:1433-1448. [PMID: 36264363 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-022-01647-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have been associated with high exposure to fine particulate air pollutants (PM2.5). Alveolar macrophages are the first defense against inhaled particles. As soon as they phagocytize the particles, they reach an inflammatory phenotype, which affects the surrounding cells and associates with CVD. Not coincidentally, CVD are marked by a depleted heat shock response (HSR), defined by a deficit in inducing 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) expression during stressful conditions. HSP70 is a powerful anti-inflammatory chaperone, whose reduced levels trigger a pro-inflammatory milieu, cellular senescence, and a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). However, whether macrophage senescence is the main mechanism by which PM2.5 propagates low-grade inflammation remains unclear. OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN In this article, we review evidence supporting that chronic exposure to PM2.5 depletes HSR and determines the ability to solve the initial stress. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION When exposed to PM2.5, macrophages increase the production of reactive oxygen species, which activate nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). NF-κB is naturally a pro-inflammatory factor that drives prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis and causes fever. PGE2 can be converted into prostaglandin A2, a powerful inducer of HSR. Therefore, when transiently activated, NF-κB can trigger the anti-inflammatory response through negative feedback, by inducing HSP70 expression. However, when chronically activated, NF-κB heads a set of pathways involved in mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, unfolded protein response, inflammasome activation, and apoptosis. During chronic exposure to PM2.5, cells cannot properly express sirtuin-1 or activate heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1), which delays the resolution phase of inflammation. Since alveolar macrophages are the first immune defense against PM2.5, we suppose that the pollutant impairs HSR and, consequently, induces cellular senescence. Accordingly, senescent macrophages change its secretory phenotype to a more inflammatory one, known as SASP. Finally, macrophages' SASP would propagate the systemic inflammation, leading to endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.
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Zhang W, Chen H, Zeng Q, Xu S, Xia W, Li Y. Prenatal and postnatal exposure to vanadium and the immune function of children. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2021; 67:126787. [PMID: 34034030 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2021.126787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The immunotoxicity induced by vanadium exposure have been reported in some toxicology researches. However, evidence from population-based epidemiological studies was lacking. METHODS This study was conducted to assess the associations between prenatal and postnatal exposure to vanadium and immune function of children. A total of 407 pre-school aged children were followed, whose peripheral blood was collected for T lymphocyte subsets and inflammatory cytokines analysis, as well as vanadium concentration measurement. Maternal urine samples were also collected to measure vanadium concentration. We used generalized linear models to evaluate the associations of maternal and children vanadium concentration with children's immune function. Stratification analysis was further conducted to explore the potential gender-specific effects. RESULTS The geometric means of vanadium concentration in maternal urine and children plasma were 0.85 and 1.12 μg/L, respectively. Maternal urinary vanadium was inversely associated with the percentage of CD3+CD4+ cells [-5.53 % (-10.38 %, -0.41 %)] and absolute counts of CD3+ cells [-2.43 % (-5.05 %, 0.25 %)], and we only observed significant negative associations in males when stratifying by fetal gender. Children plasma vanadium was also associated with reduced absolute counts of CD3+ cells [-5.25 % (-9.57 %, -0.73 %)], but gender-specific effects were not observed. No significant associations of vanadium exposure with cytokines were found. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal and postnatal exposure to vanadium had suppressive impacts on childhood cellular immune. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
| | - Huan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
| | - Qiang Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
| | - Shunqing Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
| | - Wei Xia
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
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Effects of Hormone Therapy and Flavonoids Capable on Reversal of Menopausal Immune Senescence. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13072363. [PMID: 34371873 PMCID: PMC8308838 DOI: 10.3390/nu13072363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Menopause, probably the most important natural change in a woman’s life and a major component of female senescence, is characterized, inter alia, by cessation of ovarian estrogen and progesterone production, resulting in a gradual deterioration of the female immune system. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used in postmenopausal women to relieve some of the peri- and postmenopausal symptoms, while there is also evidence that the therapy may additionally partially reverse menopausal immune senescence. Flavonoids, and especially isoflavones, are widely used for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, although it is not at present clear whether they can reverse or alleviate other menopausal changes. HRT reverses the menopausal CD4/CD8 ratio and also limits the general peri- and postmenopausal inflammatory state. Moreover, the increased levels of interleukins (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8, as well as of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) are decreased after the initiation of HRT. However, some reports show no effect of HRT on IL-4, IL-10, and IL-12. It is thus evident that the molecular pathways connecting HRT and female immune senescence need to be clarified. Interestingly, recent studies have suggested that the anti-inflammatory properties of isoflavones possibly interact with inflammatory cytokines when applied in menopause treatments, thereby potentially reversing immune senescence. This narrative review presents the latest data on the effect of menopausal therapies, including administration of flavonoid-rich products, on age-associated immune senescence reversal with the aim of revealing possible directions for future research and treatment development.
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Jiao X, Zhang X, Li N, Zhang D, Zhao S, Dang Y, Zanvit P, Jin W, Chen Z, Chen W, Qin Y. T reg deficiency-mediated T H 1 response causes human premature ovarian insufficiency through apoptosis and steroidogenesis dysfunction of granulosa cells. Clin Transl Med 2021; 11:e448. [PMID: 34185428 PMCID: PMC8214854 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune dysregulation has long been proposed as a component of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), but the underlying mediators and mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here we showed that patients with POI had augmented T helper 1 (TH 1) responses and regulatory T (Treg ) cell deficiency in both the periphery and the ovary compared to the control women. The increased ratio of TH 1:Treg cells was strongly correlated with the severity of POI. In mouse models of POI, the increased infiltration of TH 1 cells in the ovary resulted in follicle atresia and ovarian insufficiency, which could be prevented and reversed by Treg cells. Importantly, interferon (IFN) -γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α cooperatively promoted the apoptosis of granulosa cells and suppressed their steroidogenesis by modulating CTGF and CYP19A1. We have thus revealed a previously unrecognized Treg cell deficiency-mediated TH 1 response in the pathogenesis of POI, which should have implications for therapeutic interventions in patients with POI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Jiao
- Center for Reproductive MedicineCheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Mucosal Immunology SectionNIDCRNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive GeneticsShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of EducationShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Xiruo Zhang
- Center for Reproductive MedicineCheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive GeneticsShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of EducationShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Nianyu Li
- Center for Reproductive MedicineCheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive GeneticsShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of EducationShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Dunfang Zhang
- Mucosal Immunology SectionNIDCRNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Shidou Zhao
- Center for Reproductive MedicineCheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive GeneticsShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of EducationShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Yujie Dang
- Center for Reproductive MedicineCheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive GeneticsShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of EducationShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Peter Zanvit
- Mucosal Immunology SectionNIDCRNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Wenwen Jin
- Mucosal Immunology SectionNIDCRNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Zi‐Jiang Chen
- Center for Reproductive MedicineCheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive GeneticsShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of EducationShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive GeneticsShanghaiChina
- Center for Reproductive MedicineRen Ji HospitalSchool of MedicineShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Wanjun Chen
- Mucosal Immunology SectionNIDCRNational Institutes of HealthBethesdaMarylandUSA
| | - Yingying Qin
- Center for Reproductive MedicineCheeloo College of MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive GeneticsShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Key laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of EducationShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
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Bove R, Okai A, Houtchens M, Elias-Hamp B, Lugaresi A, Hellwig K, Kubala Havrdová E. Effects of Menopause in Women With Multiple Sclerosis: An Evidence-Based Review. Front Neurol 2021; 12:554375. [PMID: 33815241 PMCID: PMC8017266 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.554375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Over two thirds of all individuals who develop multiple sclerosis (MS) will be women prior to the age of menopause. Further, an estimated 30% of the current MS population consists of peri- or postmenopausal women. The presence of MS does not appear to influence age of menopausal onset. In clinical practice, symptoms of MS and menopause can frequently overlap, including disturbances in cognition, mood, sleep, and bladder function, which can create challenges in ascertaining the likely cause of symptoms to be treated. A holistic and comprehensive approach to address these common physical and psychological changes is often suggested to patients during menopause. Although some studies have suggested that women with MS experience reduced relapse rates and increased disability progression post menopause, the data are not consistent enough for firm conclusions to be drawn. Mechanisms through which postmenopausal women with MS may experience disability progression include neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration from age-associated phenomena such as immunosenescence and inflammaging. Additional effects are likely to result from reduced levels of estrogen, which affects MS disease course. Following early retrospective studies of women with MS receiving steroid hormones, more recent interventional trials of exogenous hormone use, albeit as oral contraceptive, have provided some indications of potential benefit on MS outcomes. This review summarizes current research on the effects of menopause in women with MS, including the psychological impact and symptoms of menopause on disease worsening, and the treatment options. Finally, we highlight the need for more inclusion of MS patients from underrepresented racial and geographic groups in clinical trials, including among menopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riley Bove
- Department of Neurology, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Annette Okai
- Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Center of Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Maria Houtchens
- Partners Multiple Sclerosis Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Birte Elias-Hamp
- Neurological Private Practice, Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alessandra Lugaresi
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Kerstin Hellwig
- Department of Neurology, Ruhr University Bochum and St. Josef-Hospital, Bochum, Germany
| | - Eva Kubala Havrdová
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Medical Faculty, General University Hospital, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
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9
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Cauley JA, Ruppert K, Lian Y, Finkelstein JS, Karvonen-Gutierrez CA, Harlow SD, Lo JC, Burnett-Bowie SAM, Karlamangla A, Greendale GA. Serum Sex Hormones and the Risk of Fracture Across the Menopausal Transition: Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 104:2412-2418. [PMID: 30690517 PMCID: PMC6505454 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2018-02047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Sex steroid hormones have been linked to fractures in older women. OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that hormones measured over the menopausal transition predict fractures. SETTING Seven US clinical centers. SUBJECTS AND MEASUREMENTS Two thousand nine hundred sixty women (average age, 46.4 ± 2.7 years) who had at least two repeat hormone measures and prospective information on fractures. Fasting serum was collected annually for hormone assays. Estradiol (E2) was measured with a modified direct immunoassay. FSH and SHBG were measured with two-site chemiluminescence immunoassays. Hormones were lagged (visit year -1) and transformed using log base 2. Incident fractures were ascertained at each annual visit. All medications including hormone therapy were time varying covariates. Discrete survival methods were used. RESULTS Five hundred eight (17.2%) women experienced an incident fracture over an average follow up of 8.8 ± 4.4 years. Women who experienced an incident fracture were more likely to be white, report high alcohol intake and diabetes, and less likely to report premenopausal status at baseline. A woman whose log E2 was twice that of another had a 10% lower risk of fracture independent of covariates, relative risk (95% CI) = 0.90 (0.82, 0.98). Neither FSH nor SHBG were associated with fractures. CONCLUSIONS Serum E2 levels may help to identify women at higher risk of fractures over the menopausal transition. However, hormone assays must be standardized across laboratories for clinical implementation and further work is needed to define E2 thresholds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane A Cauley
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Correspondence and Reprint Requests: Jane A. Cauley, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261. E-mail:
| | - Kristine Ruppert
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Yinjuan Lian
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | | | - Joan C Lo
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, Oakland, California
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Hwu CM, Liou HH, Lee CJ, Hsu BG. A positive association between interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and insulin resistance in postmenopausal women. Gynecol Endocrinol 2018; 34:574-578. [PMID: 29345164 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2018.1427225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine whether higher circulating interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), an anti-inflammatory cytokine, was associated with insulin resistance in postmenopausal women. METHODS We measured IL-1Ra concentrations in 160 naturally postmenopausal women without a history of diabetes mellitus. A Pearson coefficient was computed to assess the relationship between plasma IL-1Ra and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The association between HOMA-IR and IL-1Ra plasma level above the median was assessed by logistic regression. Linear regression was used to explore the determinants of IL-1Ra plasma levels. RESULTS A significant positive correlation existed between IL-1Ra and HOMA-IR (r = 0.42, p < .0001). The upper-tertile group of HOMA-IR was associated with approximately 4.5-fold increased risk of plasma IL-1Ra level above the median compared with the low-tertile group after adjustments. When multiple correlates were entered into the regression model simultaneously, only Log HOMA-IR remained significantly related to Log IL-1Ra (p = .007). CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated a positive association between plasma IL-1Ra and insulin resistance in postmenopausal women. This analysis suggested that insulin resistance was an important determinant of circulating IL-1Ra for these women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chii-Min Hwu
- a Department of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism , Taipei Veterans General Hospital , Taipei , Taiwan
- b Faculty of Medicine , National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine , Taipei , Taiwan
| | - Hung-Hsiang Liou
- c Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology , Hsin-Jen Hospital , New Taipei City , Taiwan
| | - Chung-Jen Lee
- d Department of Nursing , Tzu-Chi University of Science and Technology , Hualien , Taiwan
| | - Bang-Gee Hsu
- e Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology , Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital , Hualien , Taiwan
- f Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine , Tzu Chi University , Hualien , Taiwan
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Abstract
The life of a human female is characterized from teenage years by monthly menstruation which ceases (the menopause) typically between the age of 40 and 60 years. The potential for reproduction declines and ceases as the ovaries become depleted of follicles. A transition period in mid-life, for 2 to 10 years, when menstruation is less regular is called the perimenopause. The menopause is associated with a significant decline in plasma concentrations of sex hormones, an increase in the concentrations of the gonadotrophins and changes in other hormones such as the inhibins. These changes are superimposed with effects of aging, social and metabolic factors, daily activity and well-being. Although the menopause is entirely natural, in some cases ovarian failure can occur earlier than usual; this is pathological and warrants careful biochemical investigations to distinguish it from conditions causing infertility. Elderly females are affected by a range of clinical disorders including endocrine, cardiovascular, skeletal, urogenital tract and immunological systems, body mass, vasomotor tone, mood and sleep pattern. Reference intervals for many diagnostic biochemical tests for the menopause need to be used when interpreting results in clinical investigations for patient management. The standardization and harmonization of assays are being addressed. Many women now choose to develop their career before bearing children, and the health service has had to change services around this. This review does not cover screening for and tests during pregnancy. The review is timely since the population is aging and there will be more demand on healthcare services.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Honour
- Institute of Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
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Ruan Q, D'onofrio G, Wu T, Greco A, Sancarlo D, Yu Z. Sexual dimorphism of frailty and cognitive impairment: Potential underlying mechanisms (Review). Mol Med Rep 2017; 16:3023-3033. [PMID: 28713963 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to assess systematically gender differences in susceptibility to frailty and cognitive performance decline, and the underlying mechanisms. A systematic assessment was performed of the identified reviews of cohort, mechanistic and epidemiological studies. The selection criteria of the present study included: i) Sexual dimorphism of frailty, ii) sexual dimorphism of subjective memory decline (impairment) and atrophy of hippocampus during early life, iii) sexual dimorphism of late‑onset Alzheimer's disease and iv) sexual dimorphism mechanisms underlying frailty and cognitive impairment. Males exhibit a susceptibility to poor memory performance and a severe atrophy of the hippocampus during early life and females demonstrate a higher prevalence for frailty and late‑life dementia. The different alterations within the hypothalamic‑pituitary‑gonadal/adrenal axis, particularly with regard to gonadal hormones, cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone/sulfate‑bound dehydroepiandrosterone prior to and following andropause in males and menopause in females, serve important roles in sexual dimorphism of frailty and cognitive impairment. These endocrine changes may accelerate immunosenescence, weaken neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects, and promote muscle catabolism. The present study suggested that these age‑associated endocrine alterations interact with gender‑specific genetic and epigenetic factors, together with immunosenescence and iron accumulation. Environment factors, including psychological factors, are additional potential causes of the sexual dimorphism of frailty and cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingwei Ruan
- Department of Geriatrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatrics, Shanghai Institute of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Huadong Hospital and Research Center of Aging and Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Grazia D'onofrio
- Department of Medical Sciences, Geriatric Unit and Laboratory of Gerontology and Geriatrics, The Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Home for Relief of the Suffering Hospital, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia I‑71013, Italy
| | - Tao Wu
- Department of Geriatrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatrics, Shanghai Institute of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Huadong Hospital and Research Center of Aging and Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
| | - Antonio Greco
- Department of Medical Sciences, Geriatric Unit and Laboratory of Gerontology and Geriatrics, The Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Home for Relief of the Suffering Hospital, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia I‑71013, Italy
| | - Daniele Sancarlo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Geriatric Unit and Laboratory of Gerontology and Geriatrics, The Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Home for Relief of the Suffering Hospital, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia I‑71013, Italy
| | - Zhuowei Yu
- Department of Geriatrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatrics, Shanghai Institute of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Huadong Hospital and Research Center of Aging and Medicine, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
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Gender, aging and longevity in humans: an update of an intriguing/neglected scenario paving the way to a gender-specific medicine. Clin Sci (Lond) 2017; 130:1711-25. [PMID: 27555614 PMCID: PMC4994139 DOI: 10.1042/cs20160004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Data showing a remarkable gender difference in life expectancy and mortality, including survival to extreme age, are reviewed starting from clinical and demographic data and stressing the importance of a comprehensive historical perspective and a gene–environment/lifestyle interaction. Gender difference regarding prevalence and incidence of the most important age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, Type 2 diabetes, disability, autoimmunity and infections, are reviewed and updated with particular attention to the role of the immune system and immunosenescence. On the whole, gender differences appear to be pervasive and still poorly considered and investigated despite their biomedical relevance. The basic biological mechanisms responsible for gender differences in aging and longevity are quite complex and still poorly understood. The present review focuses on centenarians and their offspring as a model of healthy aging and summarizes available knowledge on three basic biological phenomena, i.e. age-related X chromosome inactivation skewing, gut microbiome changes and maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA genetic variants. In conclusion, an appropriate gender-specific medicine approach is urgently needed and should be systematically pursued in studies on healthy aging, longevity and age-related diseases, in a globalized world characterized by great gender differences which have a high impact on health and diseases.
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Waist circumference and postmenopause stages as the main associated factors for sleep apnea in women: a cross-sectional population-based study. Menopause 2016; 22:835-44. [PMID: 25668307 DOI: 10.1097/gme.0000000000000406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The current study aimed to investigate stages of reproductive aging as an associated factor for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) among women in a representative sample of Sao Paulo, Brazil. METHODS Four hundred seven women underwent clinical evaluation, polysomnography, and biochemical analysis. Stages of reproductive aging were defined as premenopause, early postmenopause, and late postmenopause. RESULTS OSAS was more frequent in the postmenopausal groups, with 68.4% of women affected by severe OSAS belonging to the late postmenopause group. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, associated factors for OSAS, regardless of its severity, were waist circumference, modified Mallampati score IV, and both postmenopause stages. For moderate to severe OSAS and severe OSAS, we found waist circumference and both postmenopause stages to be the main factors. We carried out a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, which demonstrated that the cutoff value for waist circumference was 87.5 cm, with a maximum of 75.7% accuracy for the classification of women as OSAS or non-OSAS. CONCLUSIONS OSAS is prevalent in postmenopausal women, especially in late postmenopause. This study highlights the association between waist circumference, early postmenopause and late postmenopause, and severity of OSAS. Our findings suggest that postmenopause stages may potentially exacerbate the presence of sleep disturbance and that reducing waist circumference may be an important strategy for managing OSAS in women.
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Abdi F, Mobedi H, Mosaffa N, Dolatian M, Ramezani Tehrani F. Effects of hormone replacement therapy on immunological factors in the postmenopausal period. Climacteric 2016; 19:234-9. [DOI: 10.3109/13697137.2016.1164136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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16
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Rodriguez-Lara V, Muñiz-Rivera Cambas A, González Villalva A, Fortoul TI. Sex-based differences in lymphocyte proliferation in the spleen after vanadium inhalation. J Immunotoxicol 2016; 13:498-508. [DOI: 10.3109/1547691x.2015.1134731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vianey Rodriguez-Lara
- Department of Cellular and Tissue Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, C.U., México City, México
| | - Angelica Muñiz-Rivera Cambas
- Department of Cellular and Tissue Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, C.U., México City, México
| | - Adriana González Villalva
- Department of Cellular and Tissue Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, C.U., México City, México
| | - Teresa I. Fortoul
- Department of Cellular and Tissue Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, C.U., México City, México
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Campesi I, Occhioni S, Tonolo G, Cherchi S, Basili S, Carru C, Zinellu A, Franconi F. Ageing/Menopausal Status in Healthy Women and Ageing in Healthy Men Differently Affect Cardiometabolic Parameters. Int J Med Sci 2016; 13:124-32. [PMID: 26941571 PMCID: PMC4764779 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.14163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gender medicine requires a global analysis of an individual's life. Menopause and ageing induce variations of some cardiometabolic parameters, but, it is unknown if this occurs in a sex-specific manner. Here, some markers of oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction are analysed in men younger and older than 45 years and in pre- and postmenopausal women. METHODS Serum and plasma sample were assayed for TNF-α and IL-6, malondialdehyde and protein carbonyls and for methylated arginines using ELISA kits, colorimetric methods and capillary electrophoresis. RESULTS Before body weight correction, men overall had higher creatinine, red blood cells and haemoglobin and lower triglycerides than women. Men younger than 45 years had lower levels of TNF-α and malondialdehyde and higher levels of arginine than age-matched women, while postmenopausal women had higher IL-6 concentrations than men, and higher total cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine and IL-6 levels than younger women. Men younger than 45 years had lower total cholesterol and malondialdehyde than older men. After correction, some differences remained, others were amplified, others disappeared and some new differences emerged. Moreover, some parameters showed a correlation with age, and some of them correlated with each other as functions of ageing and ageing/menopausal status. CONCLUSIONS Ageing/menopausal status increased many more cardiovascular risk factors in women than ageing in men, confirming that postmenopausal women had increased vascular vulnerability and indicating the need of early cardiovascular prevention in women. Sex-gender differences are also influenced by body weight, indicating as a matter of debate whether body weight should be seen as a true confounder or as part of the causal pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Campesi
- 1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- 2. National Laboratory of Gender Medicine of the National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, Osilo, Italy
| | - Stefano Occhioni
- 1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Tonolo
- 3. SC Diabetologia Aziendale ASL 2 Olbia, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Olbia, Italy
| | - Sara Cherchi
- 1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- 3. SC Diabetologia Aziendale ASL 2 Olbia, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Olbia, Italy
| | - Stefania Basili
- 4. Department of internal medicine and medical specialties, Sapienza University of Rome
| | - Ciriaco Carru
- 1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- 5. Quality Control Unit, Hospital University of Sassari (AOU), Sassari, Italy
| | - Angelo Zinellu
- 1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Flavia Franconi
- 1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- 6. Assessorato alle Politiche per la Persona of Basilicata Region, Italy
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Fibre intake and incident colorectal cancer depending on fibre source, sex, tumour location and Tumour, Node, Metastasis stage. Br J Nutr 2015; 114:959-69. [PMID: 26281852 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114515002743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Studies on fibre intake and incident colorectal cancer (CRC) indicate inverse associations. Differences by tumour stage have not been examined. We examined associations between fibre intake and its sources, and incidental CRC. Separate analyses were carried out on the basis of sex, tumour location and the Tumour, Node, Metastasis (TNM) classification. The Malmö Diet and Cancer Study is a population-based cohort study, including individuals aged 45-74 years. Dietary data were collected through a modified diet history method. The TNM classification was obtained from pathology/clinical records and re-evaluated. Among 27 931 individuals (60% women), we found 728 incident CRC cases during 428 924 person-years of follow-up. Fibre intake was inversely associated with CRC risk (P(trend) = 0.026). Concerning colon cancer, we observed borderline interaction between fibre intake and sex (P = 0.052) and significant protective association restricted to women (P(trend) = 0.013). Intake of fruits and berries was inversely associated with colon cancer in women (P(trend) = 0.022). We also observed significant interactions between intakes of fibre (P = 0.048) and vegetables (P = 0.039) and sex on rectal cancer, but no significant associations were seen between intake of fibre, or its sources, in either of the sexes. Except for inverse associations between intake of fibre-rich cereal products and N0- and M0-tumours, we did not observe significant associations with different TNM stages. Our findings suggest different associations between fibre intake and CRC depending on sex, tumour site and fibre source. High fibre intake, especially from fruits and berries, may, above all, prevent tumour development in the colon in women. No clear differences by TNM classification were detected.
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Abstract
There are numerous physiologic and biochemical changes in menopause that can affect the function of the liver and mediate the development of liver disease. Menopause represents a state of growing estrogen deficiency, and this loss of estrogen in the setting of physiologic aging increases the likelihood of mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, declining immune responses to injury, and disarray in the balance between antioxidant formation and oxidative stress. The sum effect of these changes can contribute to increased susceptibility to development of significant liver pathology, particularly nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as accelerated progression of fibrosis in liver diseases, as has been particularly demonstrated in hepatitis C virus liver disease. Recognition of the unique nature of these mediating factors should raise suspicion for liver disease in perimenopausal and menopausal women and offer an opportunity for implementation of aggressive treatment measures so as to avoid progression of liver disease to cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure.
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