Selección de Resúmenes de Menopausia

Julio 2008

Juan Enrique Blümel. Departamento Medicina Sur. Universidad de Chile

 

Semana del 22 de al 29 de Julio 2008 

 

Sleep. 2008 Jul 1;31(7):979-90

Sleep disturbance during the menopausal transition in a multi-ethnic community sample of women.

Kravitz HM, Zhao X, Bromberger JT, Gold EB, Hall MH, Matthews KA, Sowers MR.

Rush University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Rush West Campus, 2150 West Harrison Street, Chicago, IL, USA. hkravitz@rush.edu

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Examine age-adjusted odds and racial/ethnic differences in self-reported difficulties falling and staying asleep and early morning awakening in midlife women to determine whether difficulty sleeping increased with progression through the menopausal transition. DESIGN: Longitudinal analysis. SETTING: Community-based. PARTICIPANTS: 3,045 Caucasian, African American, Chinese, Japanese, and Hispanic women, aged 42-52 years and pre- or early peri-menopausal at baseline, participating in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). Interventions: None. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Self-reported number of nights of difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and early morning awakening during the previous 2 weeks were obtained at baseline and 7 annual assessments. Random effects logistic regression was used to model associations between each of the 3 sleep measures and the menopausal transition, defined by bleeding patterns, vasomotor symptoms (VMS), and estradiol (E2) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) serum levels. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep increased through the menopausal transition, but decreased for early morning awakening from late perimenopause to postmenopause. Naturally and surgically postmenopausal women using hormones, compared with those who were not, generally had lower ORs for disturbed sleep. More frequent VMS were associated with higher ORs of each sleep difficulty. Decreasing E2 levels were associated with higher ORs of trouble falling and staying asleep, and increasing FSH levels were associated with higher ORs of trouble staying asleep. Racial/ethnic differences were found for staying asleep and early morning awakening. CONCLUSIONS: Progression through the menopausal transition as indicated by 3 menopausal characteristics--symptoms, bleeding-defined stages, and endogenous hormone levels--is associated with self-reported sleep disturbances.

 

Menopause. 2008 Jul 18. [Epub ahead of print]

Comparative effects of oral conjugated equine estrogens and micronized 17beta-estradiol on breast proliferation: a retrospective analysis.

Wood CE, Clarkson TB, Chen H, Veenstra TD, Xu X, Scott L, Cline JM.

Departments of 1Pathology/Section on Comparative Medicine and 2Biostatistical Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC

OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate the effects of oral conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) and micronized 17beta-estradiol (E2) on breast proliferation in a postmenopausal primate model. DESIGN:: Data from nine studies were analyzed retrospectively. The primary outcome measure was breast epithelial proliferation determined by immunolabeling for the Ki67 antigen. Other measures included progesterone receptor expression and endometrial thickness (as surrogate markers of systemic estrogen exposure) and urinary estrogen metabolite profile. All CEE doses were given at the human equivalent of 0.625 mg/day (n = 281), whereas E2 was given at the human equivalent of 1.0 mg/day or less (n = 131). RESULTS:: Oral CEE resulted in a modest overall increase in breast epithelial proliferation of 75% that reached significance at P < 0.05 compared with placebo in one of four parallel-arm studies. In contrast, oral E2 resulted in a more substantial increase in breast epithelial proliferation of 259% (all studies) to 330% (parallel-arm studies only) that reached significance at P < 0.05 in all five E2 studies evaluated. Breast epithelial expression of progesterone receptor, a widely used marker of estrogen receptor activity, and endometrial thickness showed similar increases after treatment with CEE and E2 (P < 0.05 in all available studies). Relative amounts of urinary methoxyestrogens and the 2-hydroxyestrogen-to-16alpha-hydroxyestrone ratio were higher after CEE compared with E2 treatment (P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS:: This retrospective analysis of oral estrogen effects in postmenopausal macaques suggests that standard doses of CEE may result in less estrogen-induced epithelial proliferation in the breast compared with E2.

 

Public Health Nutr. 2008 Jul 23:1-7. [Epub ahead of print]

Dietary consumption of phytochemicals and breast cancer risk in Mexican women.

Torres-Sanchez L, Galvan-Portillo M, Wolff MS, Lopez-Carrillo L.

Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To perform an evaluation of selected phytochemicals intake and breast cancer (BC) risk in Mexican women. DESIGN: We conducted hospital-based case-control study. SETTING: Mexico City between 1994 and 1996. SUBJECTS: A total of 141 histologically confirmed BC cases were age-matched (+/-3 years) to an equal number of hospital controls. The reproductive history of each woman was obtained by direct interview. The dietary consumption of flavonols, flavones, flavan-3-ols, cinnamic acid, lariciresinol, pinoresinol, secoisolariciresinol, matairesinol and coumestrol was obtained by means of a validated FFQ. RESULTS: Among postmenopausal women, high dietary intake of flavonols and flavones was associated with a significant reduction of BC risk (high v. low tertile: OR = 0.21, 95 % CI 0.07, 0.60, P for trend = 0.004 and OR = 0.29, 95 % CI 0.10, 0.82, P for trend = 0.025, respectively); consumption of lignans (lariciresinol and pinoresinol) showed a similar effect, but only among premenopausal women (high v. low tertile: OR = 0.32, 95 % CI 0.10, 0.99, P for trend = 0.051 and OR = 0.19, 95 % CI 0.06, 0.62, P for trend = 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results support a protective role of specific dietary phytochemicals in BC risk by menopausal status, independent of other reproductive factors.

 

Gynecol Endocrinol. 2008 Jul;24(7):405-10.

Associations between serum testosterone levels, cell proliferation and progesterone receptor content in normal and malignant breast tissue in postmenopausal women.

Hofling M, Löfgren L, von Schoultz E, Carlström K, Söderqvist G.

Division for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Progestogens and progesterone receptors (PR) may play an important role in increased breast proliferation following combined estrogen/progestogen hormone therapy, while androgens may counteract this effect. In 50 untreated healthy postmenopausal women and 48 untreated postmenopausal breast cancer patients, we measured serum levels of testosterone (T), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), estrone (E(1)) and adrenal androgens; and additionally, in the breast cancer patients, cortisol and corticosteroid-binding globulin and endocrine data related to breast proliferation (assessed using the Ki-67/MIB-1 monoclonal antibody) and PR levels (determined by enzyme immunoassay) in the breast cancer tissue. In the healthy women the percentage of MIB-1(+) cells showed significant negative correlations with serum levels of total T, calculated free T (fT) and the fT/E(1) ratio; while in the breast cancer patients PR content showed significant negative correlations with fT level, the fT/E(1) ratio and the T/SHBG ratio. No other correlations were found in any of the groups. Our findings in healthy women confirm previous reports of an antiproliferative effect of androgens in breast tissue and our finding in breast cancer patients suggests that this antiproliferative effect may be mediated via downregulation of PR.

 

Gynecol Endocrinol. 2008 Jul;24(7):399-404.

Postmenopausal vaginal atrophy correlates with decreased estradiol and body mass index and does not depend on the time since menopause.

Repse-Fokter A, Takac I, Fokter SK.

Department of Pathomorphology and Cytology, Celje Teaching Hospital, Celje, Slovenia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between morphologic cell characteristics in Papanicolaou (Pap) smears and serum estradiol, body mass index (BMI) and the time elapsed since menopause. Study design. In 92 women Pap smears were grouped into atrophic and mature cell patterns and compared with estradiol, BMI and the time since menopause. RESULTS: Forty-one patients with mature cell pattern were on average 7.1 years from menopause and 51 patients with atrophic pattern 8.2 years, but this difference was not significant. Estradiol in patients with mature cell pattern was significantly higher (52.1 +/- 48.5 pmol/l) than in patients with atrophic pattern (25.6 +/- 40.0 pmol/l). Similarly, BMI was significantly higher (27.9 +/- 4.2 kg/m(2)) in patients with mature cell pattern than in patients with atrophic pattern (25.7 +/- 3.8 kg/m(2)). There was no significant correlation between the time since menopause and estradiol among patients with mature and atrophic cell pattern. The same was true for the correlation between the time from menopause and BMI in patients with mature and atrophic pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Estradiol and BMI are associated with vaginal cell maturation and atrophy in postmenopausal women. Vaginal cell atrophy does not depend on the time since menopause.

 

Climacteric. 2008 Aug;11(4):304-14.

Symptoms in peri- and postmenopausal women in relation to testosterone concentrations: data from The Women's Health in the Lund Area (WHILA) study.

Gotmar A, Hammar M, Fredrikson M, Samsioe G, Nerbrand C, Lidfeldt J, Spetz AC.

Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Hospital Linkoping.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate possible associations between androgen concentrations in perimenopausal women and symptoms that may be associated with low androgen concentrations in the blood. METHODS: All women born in the period 1935-1945 and living in a defined geographic area in Sweden (n = 10 766) were invited to a screening program that included physical and laboratory examinations and a questionnaire. Three groups were identified: premenopausal women, women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and postmenopausal women without HRT. Concentrations of testosterone, androstendione, sex hormone binding globulin and estradiol were measured. Waist-hip ratio, body mass index and free testosterone index (FTI) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 6908 women participated. The women on HRT had lower testosterone and FTI and were less satisfied with mood and energy (p < 0.05). Women with hot flushes had higher testosterone and FTI and women reporting coldness had lower concentrations (p < 0.05). Sexual well-being was not correlated to testosterone or FTI (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Lower testosterone concentrations were associated with lower quality of life in perimenopausal women but not to sexual well-being. There must be factors other than decrements in sex hormones that contribute to the emergence of some perimenopausal symptoms.

 

Metabolism. 2008 Aug;57(8):1101-7.

Regional body fat distribution and metabolic profile in postmenopausal women.

Piché ME, Lapointe A, Weisnagel SJ, Corneau L, Nadeau A, Bergeron J, Lemieux S.

Institute of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, Laval University, Québec QC, Canada G1K 7P4; Lipid Research Center, CHUL Research Center, Québec QC, Canada.

The aim of the study was to examine how body fat distribution variables were associated with metabolic parameters in a sample of 113 postmenopausal women not receiving hormone therapy (56.9 +/- 4.4 years, 28.4 +/- 5.1 kg/m(2)). Body fat distribution variables (visceral adipose tissue [AT], subcutaneous AT, and total midthigh AT) were measured using computed tomography; body fat mass was assessed by hydrostatic weighing; insulin sensitivity was determined with the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp; fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and 2-hour plasma glucose (2hPG) concentrations were measured by a 75-g oral glucose load; and (high-sensitivity) C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was measured using a highly sensitive assay. After controlling for fat mass, visceral AT was positively associated with plasma triglyceride, hs-CRP, FPG, and 2hPG, and negatively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and insulin sensitivity. Total midthigh AT was negatively associated with apolipoprotein B, FPG, and 2hPG, and positively associated with insulin sensitivity. Stepwise multiple regression analyses including abdominal visceral AT, subcutaneous AT and total midthigh AT as independent variables showed that abdominal visceral AT best predicted the variance in plasma triglyceride, HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein peak particle size, hs-CRP, FPG, 2hPG, and insulin sensitivity. Abdominal subcutaneous AT was a significant predictor of only insulin sensitivity, whereas total midthigh AT predicted HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein peak particle size, and apolipoprotein B. These multivariate analyses also indicated that total midthigh AT was favorably related to these outcomes, whereas abdominal visceral AT and subcutaneous AT were unfavorably related. These results confirmed that abdominal visceral fat is a critical correlate of metabolic parameters in postmenopausal women. In addition, a higher proportion of AT located in the total midthigh depot is associated with a favorable metabolic profile.

 

Cancer Detect Prev. 2008 Jul 16. [Epub ahead of print]

Biomarkers associated with breast cancer are associated with obesity.

Sauter ER, Scott S, Hewett J, Kliethermes B, Ruhlen RL, Basarakodu K, de la Torre R.

Department of Surgery, University of Missouri, One Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO 65212, USA.

Background: Obesity is linked to the development of postmenopausal breast cancer, and some studies indicate obesity predicts a worse prognosis for premenopausal women who develop the disease. It was our hypothesis that proteins associated with breast cancer would be associated with body mass index (BMI). Methods: We searched our database of women enrolled in breast health translational research trials for information on BMI and markers predictive of breast cancer (basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), human kallikrein (hK)2, and urinary plasminogen activator (uPA). Information on BMI and one or more nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) or serum biomarkers was available from 382 women. Results: In this data set, NAF and serum levels of PSA (nPSA and sPSA), and NAF levels hK2, bFGF and uPA were each associated with pre- and/or postmenopausal breast cancer. sPSA was inversely associated with BMI in both pre- (r=-.56, p=.001) and postmenopausal women (r=-.62, p=.0035) without breast cancer. This association was lost when controlling for plasma volume. In women without breast cancer, NAF bFGF (p=.07, premenopausal subjects) and NAF hK2 (p=.09, postmenopausal subjects) were borderline associated with BMI. In women with breast cancer, nPSA was inversely (r=-.53, p=.049) associated with BMI in premenopausal women and directly associated with BMI in postmenopausal women (r=.37, p=.017). nPSA trended higher in hormone sensitive cancers, especially those that expressed progesterone receptor (p=.059). Conclusions: sPSA was inversely associated with BMI in all pre- and postmenopausal women and specifically in pre- and postmenopausal women without breast cancer. NAF PSA was associated with BMI in pre- and postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Evaluating the change in PSA with changes in weight may provide clues regarding a subject's breast cancer risk.

 

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2008;630:232-6

Prevention of breast cancer using SERMs.

Powles TJ.

Parkside Oncology Clinic London, UK.

The development of breast cancer is dependant in part on oestrogen. Suppression of ovarian function or use of anti-oestrogens will reduce the incidence of breast cancer. Many trials have now been done involving tens of thousands of healthy women evaluating the use of selective oestrogen receptor modulators to reduce the risk of breast cancer in healthy women. Tamoxifen will reduce the early incidence of breast cancer in pre and postmenopausal women by about 40% but causes vasomotor symptoms, thromboembolism and gynaecological toxicity including polyps, endometrial atypia and rarely cancer. In long follow up trials the risk reduction for breast cancer extends beyond the treatment period out to at least 15 years appearing to get larger with time indicating a true long term prevention effect. The toxicity of tamoxifen is for the most part confined to the treatment period. Raloxifene also has similar breast cancer risk reduction activity to tamoxifen but has less toxicity with no evidence of an increased risk of endometrial atypia or cancer. Tamoxifen is licensed for breast cancer risk reduction in the USA and raloxifene has also recently been approved by the FDA for such use.

 

J Sex Med. 2008 Jul 14. [Epub ahead of print]

Sexual Function, Dysfunction, and Sexual Distress in a Prospective, Population-Based Sample of Mid-Aged, Australian-Born Women.

Dennerstein L, Guthrie JR, Hayes RD, Derogatis LR, Lehert P.

Office for Gender and Health, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Introduction. Previous, population-based studies investigating the risk factors for sexual distress have not drawn on longitudinal data. Aims. Determine the prevalence of sexual distress and dysfunction, explore factors associated with/predictive of sexual distress, and describe changes in sexual function over a decade in a population-based sample of mid-aged women. Methods. Eleven-year prospective study of Australian-born women, aged 45-55 years, and menstruating at baseline. Short Personal Experiences Questionnaire (SPEQ) was completed in years 1 to 8 and 11 of follow-up. Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) was completed in the 11th year of follow-up. Main Outcome Measures. Validated outcome measures were the SPEQ (total sex score </=7 indicates low sexual function) and FSDS (score >/=15 indicates sexual distress). Results. Two hundred fifty-seven women were interviewed in the 11th year of follow-up. All domains of sexual function declined significantly in the decade studied. Women using hormone therapy in year 11 had significantly greater responsivity and higher frequency of sexual activities than nonusers. Two hundred four women completed both the FSDS and SPEQ questionnaires. One hundred sixty-six (81%) women had an SPEQ score </=7 of whom 34 (17% of the total sample) had an FSDS score >/=15, and were classified as having female sexual dysfunction. The multiple logistic regression analysis found that female sexual distress was concurrently associated with higher depression scores (odds ratio [OR] 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10, 1.56) and more negative feelings for partner (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.32, 0.76) and predicted by prior negative feelings for partner (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.14, 0.70), and a greater decline in total sex score (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.59, 0.99). Conclusions. By the end of the sixth decade, women have low levels of sexual function. Hormone therapy may help these women maintain sexual function. A minority of these mostly postmenopausal women are significantly distressed about low sexual function. Sexual distress is associated with depression and relationship factors.

 

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2008;630:72-93.

Obesity and diabetes epidemics: cancer repercussions.

Hjartåker A, Langseth H, Weiderpass E.

Department of Etiological Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway.

The prevalence of overweight (body mass index, BMI, between 25 and 30 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI of 30 kg/m2 or higher) is increasing rapidly worldwide, especially in developing countries and countries undergoing economic transition to a market economy. One consequence of obesity is an increased risk of developing type II diabetes. Overall, there is considerable evidence that overweight and obesity are associated with risk for some of the most common cancers. There is convincing evidence of a positive association between overweight/obesity and risk for adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus and the gastric cardia, colorectal cancer, postmenopausal breast cancer, endometrial cancer and kidney cancer (renal-cell). Premenopausal breast cancer seems to be inversely related to obesity. For all other cancer sites the evidence of an association between overweight/obesity and cancer is inadequate, although there are studies suggesting an increased risk of cancers of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, thyroid gland and in lymphoid and haematopoietic tissue. Far less is known about the association between diabetes mellitus type I (also called insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or juvenile diabetes), type II diabetes (called non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus or adult onset diabetes mellitus) and cancer risk. The most common type of diabetes mellitus, type II, seems to be associated with liver and pancreas cancer and probably with colorectal cancer. Some studies suggest an association with endometrial and postmenopausal breast cancer. Studies reporting on the association between type I diabetes mellitus, which is relatively rare in most populations and cancer risk are scanty, but suggest a possible association with endometrial cancer. Overweight and obesity, as well as type II diabetes mellitus are largely preventable through changes in lifestyle. The fundamental causes of the obesity epidemic-and consequently the diabetes type II epidemic-are societal, resulting from an environment that promotes sedentary lifestyles and over-consumption of energy. The health consequences and economic costs of the overweight, obesity and type II diabetes epidemics are enormous. Avoiding overweight and obesity, as well as preventing type II diabetes mellitus, is an important purpose to prevent cancer and other diseases. Prevention of obesity and type II diabetes should begin early in life and be based on the life-long health eating and physical activity patterns. Substantial public investments in preventing overweight, obesity and type II diabetes mellitus are both appropriate and necessary in order to have a major impact on their adverse health effects including cancer.

 

 

Semana del 9 de al 22 de Julio 2008

 

BMJ. 2008 Jul 10;337:a386. doi: 10.1136/bmj.a386.

Gallbladder disease and use of transdermal versus oral hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women: prospective cohort study.

Liu B, Beral V, Balkwill A, Green J, Sweetland S, Reeves G; Million Women Study Collaborators.

Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF. Bette.Liu@ceu.ox.ac.uk

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether transdermal compared with oral use of hormone replacement therapy reduces the risk of gallbladder disease in postmenopausal women. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study (Million Women Study). SETTING: Women registered with the National Health Service (NHS) in England and Scotland. PARTICIPANTS: 1,001,391 postmenopausal women (mean age 56) recruited between 1996 and 2001 from NHS breast screening centres and followed by record linkage to routinely collected NHS hospital admission data for gallbladder disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adjusted relative risk and standardised incidence rates of hospital admission for gallbladder disease or cholecystectomy according to use of hormone replacement therapy. RESULTS: During follow-up 19 889 women were admitted for gallbladder disease; 17 190 (86%) had a cholecystectomy. Compared with never users of hormone replacement therapy, current users were more likely to be admitted for gallbladder disease (relative risk 1.64, 95% confidence interval 1.58 to 1.69) but risks were substantially lower with transdermal therapy than with oral therapy (relative risk 1.17, 1.10 to 1.24 v 1.74, 1.68 to 1.80; heterogeneity P<0.001). Among women using oral therapy, equine oestrogens were associated with a slightly greater risk of gallbladder disease than estradiol (relative risk 1.79, 1.72 to 1.87 v 1.62, 1.54 to 1.70; heterogeneity P<0.001) and higher doses of oestrogen increased the risk more than lower doses: for equine oestrogens >0.625 mg, 1.91 (1.78 to 2.04) v <or=0.625 mg, 1.76 (1.68 to 1.84); heterogeneity P=0.02; estradiol >1 mg, 1.68 (1.59 to 1.77) v <or=1 mg, 1.44 (1.31 to 1.59); heterogeneity P=0.003. The risk of gallbladder disease decreased with time since stopping therapy (trend P=0.004). Results were similar taking cholecystectomy as the outcome. Standardised hospital admission rates per 100 women over five years for cholecystectomy were 1.1 in never users, 1.3 with transdermal therapy, and 2.0 with oral therapy. CONCLUSION: Gallbladder disease is common in postmenopausal women and use of hormone replacement therapy increases the risk. Use of transdermal therapy rather than oral therapy over a five year period could avoid one cholecystectomy in every 140 users.

 

 

Osteoporos Int. 2008 Jul 17. [Epub ahead of print]

Weight and body mass index predict bone mineral density and fractures in women aged 40 to 59 years.

Morin S, Tsang JF, Leslie WD.

Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, suzanne.morin@mcgill.ca.

Weight and body mass index are associated with low bone mineral density and fractures in older women. This retrospective cohort study confirms a similar relationship in women aged 40 to 59 years. INTRODUCTION: Risk factors for the prediction of osteoporosis and fractures have been less thoroughly studied in younger women. We evaluated the associations between weight, body mass index (BMI), the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool (OST), bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk in women aged 40 to 59 years. METHODS: Using administrative health management databases, we conducted a retrospective cohort study in 8,254 women aged 40-59 years who had baseline BMD testing. Linear regression and Cox proportional multivariate models were created to examine the associations with weight, BMI, OST, BMD, and subsequent fractures throughout a 3.3-year follow-up. RESULTS: Body weight, BMI, and OST had a similar overall performance in their ability to classify women with femoral neck T-score </= -2.5. Throughout 27,256 person years of observation, 225 women experienced one or more fractures. After adjustment for age, prevalent fractures, and use of corticosteroids, each standard deviation decrease in weight was associated with a 19% increase in the risk of incident fracture (95% CI: 1.01-1.35). Femoral neck BMD and the presence of prevalent fractures were also associated with the risk of incident fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Low weight and BMI predict osteoporosis and are associated with increased fracture risk in younger women. The negative impact of low body weight on bone health should be more widely recognized.

 

 

Br J Cancer. 2008 Jul 15. [Epub ahead of print]

Obesity and risk of pancreatic cancer among postmenopausal women: the Women's Health Initiative

Luo J, Margolis KL, Adami HO, Lacroix A, Ye W.

Institute of Social Development and Public Policy, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.

A total of 138 503 women in the Women's Health Initiative in the United States were followed (average of 7.7 years) through 12 September 2005 to examine obesity, especially central obesity in relation to pancreatic cancer (n=251). Women in the highest quintile of waist-to-hip ratio had 70% (95% confidence interval 10-160%) excess risk of pancreatic cancer compared with women in the lowest quintile.

 

Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2008 Jul;17(7):1674-81.

Increases in Serum Estrone Sulfate Level Are Associated with Increased Mammographic Density during Menopausal Hormone Therapy.

Crandall CJ, Guan M, Laughlin GA, Ursin G, Stanczyk FZ, Ingles SA, Barrett-Connor E, Greendale GA.

David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, CA 90024.

Background: Menopausal hormone therapy increases mammographic density. We determined whether increases in serum estrone sulfate (E(1)S) levels during menopausal hormone therapy predict increased mammographic density. Methods: We measured percent mammographic density and serum E(1)S levels in 428 participants of the Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestin Interventions study who were randomly assigned to daily conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) 0.625 mg alone, CEE + daily medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) 2.5 mg, CEE + cyclical MPA (10 mg days 1-12 per 28-day cycle), or CEE + cyclical micronized progesterone (10 mg days 1-12). Serum E(1)S levels were determined by RIA. Information about covariates was determined by annual questionnaire. Using linear regression, we determined the association between change in E(1)S level from baseline to 12 months and change in percent mammographic density (by semiquantitative interactive threshold method). RESULTS: After controlling for baseline mammographic density, age, body mass index, alcohol intake, parity, smoking, ethnicity, physical activity, and age at first pregnancy, mammographic density increased by 1.3% for every 1 ng/mL increase in E(1)S level (P < 0.0001). The association between change in E(1)S level and change in mammographic density differed by treatment group (greater effect in CEE + cyclical MPA group versus CEE group; P = 0.05). After controlling for treatment group, change in the ratio of E(1)S to E(1) was also positively associated with change in mammographic density. CONCLUSIONS: Increases in serum E(1)S levels during menopausal hormone therapy are associated with increases in mammographic density. The relative contribution of E(1)S and E(1) to stimulation of breast tissue awaits further elucidation.

 

Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2008 Aug;9(11):1935-54.

Nitric oxide: new evidence for novel therapeutic indications.

Wimalawansa SJ.

Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Department of Medicine, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) deficiency is implicated in many pathophysiological processes in mammals. NO is a ubiquitous molecule involved in multiple cellular functions. Uncontrolled or inappropriate production of NO may lead to several disease states including septic shock, rheumatoid and inflammatory arthropathies, and expansion of cerebral damage after stroke. However, to date, there are no therapeutic agents available that can overcome these conditions. Similarly, underproduction of NO by NO synthase or enhanced breakdown of NO also leads to diseases such as hypertension, ischemic conditions, pre-eclampsia, premature delivery, among others. NO donor therapies are indicated in these conditions. RESULTS: Nitroglycerin and nitrates (NO donors) have been used as therapeutic agents for the past century, particularly to treat vascular disease, and the only significant adverse effects are headaches. NO donors are highly cost-effective and have beneficial effects in multiple body systems. When the body cannot generate NO via NO synthase or due to rapid turnover leading to inadequate amounts of NO available for biological homeostasis, administration of exogenous NO, or prolongation of the actions of endogenous NO, are practical ways to supplement NO. CONCLUSION: Recipients of such therapy include patients with angina pectoris, coronary artery disease, hypertension, osteoporosis, gastrointestinal motility disorders, pregnancy-related disorders including premature delivery, pre-eclampsia, vulvodynia, and erectile dysfunction in men. Postmenopausal NO deficiency is rectified with hormone replacement therapy, which enhances local production of NO. Declining local NO production secondary to estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women and perhaps in older men could be one of the reasons for age-related increased incidences of cardiovascular events and sexual dysfunction. Thus, in addition to supplementation of NO compounds in acute situations like alleviating angina and erectile dysfunction, chronic NO therapy is cost-effective in decreasing cardiovascular events, and improving the urogenital system and skeletal health.

 

Int J Obes (Lond). 2008 Jul 15. [Epub ahead of print]

Body weight through adult life and risk of urinary incontinence in middle-aged women: results from a British prospective cohort.

Mishra GD, Hardy R, Cardozo L, Kuh D.

1MRC unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College and Royal Free Medical School, London, UK.

Objectives:To determine whether the onset and duration of being overweight or obese are associated with symptoms of urinary incontinence.Design:Nationally representative cohort study.Subjects:A total of 1201 women followed-up since their birth in 1946 and annually from 48 to 54 years.Measurements:The body mass index (BMI) at the age of 20, 26, 36 and 43, and symptoms of stress, urge and severe incontinence at seven consecutive years from age 48 to 54.Results:In each year from age 48 to 54, almost half (46-49%) reported symptoms of stress incontinence, urge incontinence rose from 22 to 25% and severe incontinence from 8 to 11%. At the age of 20, 26, 36 and 43, BMI was positively associated with stress symptoms and severe incontinence in midlife. BMI transition was found to have accumulation effects on symptoms of severe incontinence; women who were overweight/obese since age 20 years were more likely to report severe incontinence than women whose BMI remained below 25 kg/m(2) (odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 2.30 (1.36-3.93)) or who became overweight or obese at 43 years (1.85 (0.97-3.51)). These relationships existed beyond the effects of aging, childhood enuresis, kidney infection, childbirth characteristics, menopause, educational attainment, general practitioner consultations and smoking status. BMI was not associated with symptoms of urge incontinence.Conclusions:Across adult life, higher BMI for women was linked with subsequent symptoms of stress and severe incontinence in midlife; those who were overweight or obese since early in adult life more than doubled their risk of severe incontinence. Women, and especially young women, should be encouraged to keep their weight in a normal range throughout adult life.

 

J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2008 Aug;28(4):411-7.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibiting antidepressants are associated with an increased risk of nonvertebral fractures.

Ziere G, Dieleman JP, van der Cammen TJ, Hofman A, Pols HA, Stricker BH.

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: Fractures related to osteoporosis and falling constitute a major health problem in the elderly population. Exposure to antidepressants is associated with an increased risk of falls and fractures, but most previous studies incriminate tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) rather than selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between antidepressants, including TCAs, SSRIs, and other antidepressants and the risk of nonvertebral fractures in elderly. DESIGN: Prospective population-based cohort study. SETTING: The Rotterdam Study, consisting of 7983 individuals aged 55 years and older. PARTICIPANTS: All persons from the Rotterdam Study. RESULTS: One thousand two hundred nineteen persons experienced a nonvertebral fracture, 25 during TCA use and 18 during SSRI use. After adjustment for age, sex, lower-limb disability, and depression, the risk of nonvertebral fracture was 2.35 (95% confidence interval, 1.32-4.18) for current users of SSRIs compared with nonusers of antidepressants. Multiple adjusting for many possible risk factors did not affect the association. To deal with potential confounding by indication, we subsequently restricted the analysis to antidepressant users (n = 1217). Compared with past users of TCAs or SSRIs, current users of SSRIs had a 2.07-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.23-3.50) increased risk of fracture, which further increased with prolonged use. In this analysis, depressive state at baseline and during follow-up did not play a role, suggesting absence of confounding by indication. The use of TCAs was associated with an increased fracture risk that decreased with prolonged use. CONCLUSIONS: Not only users of TCAs but also of SSRIs have a significantly increased risk of nonvertebral fractures, in SSRI users especially after prolonged use. Despite fewer early adverse effects of SSRIs, physicians treating elderly depressive patients should be aware of the unfavorable long-term consequence of SSRIs on fracture risk.

 

Menopause. 2008 Jun 30. [Epub ahead of print]

Earlier age at menopause, work, and tobacco smoke exposure.

Fleming LE, Levis S, Leblanc WG, Dietz NA, Arheart KL, Wilkinson JD, Clark J, Serdar B, et el.

Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami.

OBJECTIVE:: Earlier age at menopause onset has been associated with increased all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality risks. The risk of earlier age at menopause associated with primary and secondary tobacco smoke exposure was assessed. DESIGN:: This was a cross-sectional study using a nationally representative sample of US women. A total of 7,596 women (representing an estimated 79 million US women) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III were asked time since last menstrual period, occupation, and tobacco use (including home and workplace second-hand smoke [SHS] exposure). Blood cotinine and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were assessed. Logistic regressions for the odds of earlier age at menopause, stratified on race/ethnicity in women 25 to 50 years of age and adjusted for survey design, were controlled for age, body mass index, education, tobacco smoke exposure, and occupation. RESULTS:: Among 5,029 US women older than 25 years with complete data, earlier age at menopause was found among all smokers and among service and manufacturing industry sector workers. Among women age 25 to 50 years, there was an increased risk of earlier age at menopause with both primary smoking and SHS exposure, particularly among black women. CONCLUSIONS:: Primary tobacco use and SHS exposure were associated with increased odds of earlier age at menopause in a representative sample of US women. Earlier age at menopause was found for some women worker groups with greater potential occupational SHS exposure. Thus, control of SHS exposure in the workplace may decrease the risk of mortality and morbidity associated with earlier age at menopause in US women workers.

 

Indian J Cancer. 2008 Apr-Jun;45(2):50-3.

Mammographic density as a risk factor for breast cancer in a low risk population.

Attam A, Kaur N, Saha S, Bhargava SK.

Department of General Surgery, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India. dr_navkaur@hotmail.com.

Background: Mammographic density is a function of abundance of epithelial and connective tissue in breast. It has been identified as an independent risk factor for breast cancer in studies in western populations. We conducted a case control study to evaluate the role of mammographic density as risk factor for the development of breast cancer in Indian patients. Methods: One hundred and one cases of breast cancer and 123 healthy controls were included in the study. Mammographic density of the breast tissue of all controls and the contralateral breast of breast cancer patients was measured using a six category scale by a qualified radiologist. Results: A low prevalence of dense mammographic patterns (16.3% in controls and 26.7% in cases) was seen in the study population. Premenopausal women with breast density of 50% or more had 3.8 times risk of developing breast cancer than women with breast density of Conclusion: High mammographic density patterns are associated with an increased risk for the development of breast cancer in younger women in a low risk population, whereas no such increase in risk is seen in postmenopausal women.

 

J Sex Med. 2008 Jul 1. [Epub ahead of print]

The Menopausal Transition-Endocrinology.

Burger H.

Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research at Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.

Introduction. The Melbourne Women's MidLife Health Project (MWMHP) and related studies have yielded valuable information regarding the endocrine changes of the menopausal transition, which are summarized in this review. Aim. To describe the endocrinology of the menopause transition. Main Outcome Measures. Includes changes in inhibins A and B, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol, cross-sectionally in regularly cycling volunteers, and longitudinally (including testosterone) in women passing through the menopause transition. Methods. Early follicular phase hormone concentrations were measured by well-characterized immunoassays in normal volunteers aged 20-50 years, and in 438 subjects initially recruited between ages 45 and 55 for a longitudinal study of the menopause transition, the MWMHP, in which annual blood samples were obtained. The data summarized here includes the first 6 years of follow-up. These volunteers also recorded menstrual cycle data and responded to detailed annual questionnaires. Results. In regularly cycling female volunteers aged more than 40 years, it was established that inhibin B is a significant determinant of circulating FSH levels. From the MWMHP, the central endocrine event marking the onset of menstrual irregularity was shown to be a fall in follicular phase inhibin B concentrations, with a nonsignificant rise in FSH and no change in estradiol or inhibin A. Cross-sectional analysis of data from women in the early stages of the MWMHP showed a wide variation in circulating FSH levels, irrespective of menopausal status, indicating that single FSH measurements provide little useful information regarding menopausal status. Based on the prospective determination of the date of final menses (FMP), it was shown that estradiol levels begin to fall and FSH levels to rise about 2 years before FMP. At the time of FMP, FSH levels were approximately 50% of those ultimately reached postmenopausally, while estradiol had fallen by approximately 50% from reproductive age levels. Despite a major decline in sexual function, as women transited the menopause, there was no significant decline in circulating testosterone levels, the decline in sexual function being correlated with the decline in estradiol, not testosterone. Analysis of data from related studies showed that endocrinologically normal ovulatory cycles could be observed in women who had already experienced cycle irregularity, even more than 3 months of amenorrhea, and could occur close to or at the time of FMP. Conclusions. An extensive database on the endocrinology of the menopause transition, including both cross-sectional and longitudinal information, has been obtained.

 

Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2008 Jul;4(7):941-951.

Ibandronate in profile: drug characteristics and clinical efficacy.

Reginster JY, Neuprez A, Bruyère O.

University of Liège, Public Health and Health Economics, Liège, Belgium.

Background: Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a serious, chronic condition, for which nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates are now one of the treatments of choice. Objective: To review the profile of ibandronate, a monthly oral (150 mg) or quarterly intravenous injection (3 mg) of bisphosphonate. Methods: The literature search was limited to publications of ibandronate data. Results/conclusion: Ibandronate is rapidly absorbed and distributed in the bone; it is not metabolised and is excreted in urine. Clinical trial data have demonstrated the efficacy of ibandronate in reducing fracture risk, increasing bone mineral density and reducing bone turnover. These data are supported by recent meta-analyses and a large database study that have demonstrated antifracture efficacy with the ibandronate regimens used in clinical practice. Overall, ibandronate has generally been well tolerated. Therefore, ibandronate is a useful treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

 

Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2007 Nov;77(6):376-81.

Relationship between nutrient intake and vitamin D status in osteoporotic women.

de Souza Genaro P, de Paiva Pereira GA, de Medeiros Pinheiro M, Szejnfeld VL, Araújo Martini L.

Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Brazil.

Vitamin D is essential for maintaining calcium homeostasis and optimizing bone health. Its inadequacy is related to many factors including dietary intake. The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum 25(OH)D and its relationship with nutrient intakes in postmenopausal Brazilian women with osteoporosis. This cross-sectional study comprised 45 free-living and assisted elderly at São Paulo Hospital. Three-day dietary records were used to assess dietary intakes. Bone mineral density was measured with a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometer (DXA). Blood and urine sample were collected for analysis of biochemical markers of bone and mineral metabolism. Insufficiency of vitamin D was observed in 24.4% of the women and optimal levels (> or = 50 nmol/L) were observed in 75.6%. Parathyroid hormone was above the reference range in 51% of the participants. The mean calcium (724 mg/day) and vitamin D (4.2 microg/day) intakes were lower than the value proposed by The Food and Nutrition Board and sodium intake was more than two-fold above the recommendation. Higher levels of serum 25(OH)D were inversely associated with sodium intake. Dietary strategies to improve serum vitamin D must focus on increasing vitamin D intake and should take a reduction of sodium intake into consideration.

 

 

Semana del 2 de al 8 de Julio 2008

 

Eur Heart J. 2008 Jul 3. [Epub ahead of print]

Association between hormone replacement therapy and subsequent arterial and venous vascular events: a meta-analysis.

Sare GM, Gray LJ, Bath PM.

Stroke Trials Unit, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.

Aims Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown that the risk of stroke and venous thromboembolism (VTE) is increased with hormone replacement therapy (HRT); the effect on coronary heart disease (CHD) remains unclear. Methods and results RCTs of HRT were identified. Event rates for cerebrovascular disease [stroke, TIA (transient ischaemic attack)], CHD (myocardial infarction, unstable angina, sudden cardiac death), and VTE (pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis) were analysed. Sensitivity analyses were performed by type of HRT (mono vs. dual) and subject age. 31 trials (44 113 subjects) were identified. HRT was associated with increases in stroke (odds ratio, OR, 1.32, 95% confidence intervals, CI, 1.14-1.53) and VTE (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.44-2.92). In contrast, CHD events were not increased (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.90-1.11). Ordinal analyses confirmed that stroke severity was increased with HRT (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.12-1.54). Although most trials included older subjects, age did not significantly affect risk. The addition of progesterone to oestrogen doubled the risk of VTE. Conclusion HRT is associated with an increased risk of stroke, stroke severity, and VTE, but not of CHD events. Although most trials studied older patients, increased risk was not related to age. Combined HRT increases the risk of VTE compared with oestrogen monotherapy.

 

J Clin Densitom. 2008 Jul 1. [Epub ahead of print]

Use of Lowest Single Lumbar Spine Vertebra Bone Mineral Density T-Score and Other T-Score Approaches for Diagnosing Osteoporosis and Relationships with Vertebral Fracture Status.

Chen P, Miller PD, Binkley NC, Kendler DL, Wong M, Krohn K.

Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA.

For diagnosing osteoporosis, International Society for Clinical Densitometry guidelines suggest using the lowest bone mineral density T-score of the lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), or total hip (TH). For the LS, use of the total spine (L1-L4) T-score is suggested. Although controversial, some authors have suggested using a single lumbar vertebra of L1-L4 with the lowest T-score to diagnose osteoporosis. We compared the ability of various T-score approaches [lowest single LS vertebra of L1-L4; total spine; FN; TH; and the lowest T-score of total spine, FN, or TH to diagnose osteoporosis in 2560 postmenopausal women from the Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation trial placebo group. The discriminatory ability of each T-score approach to identify women with or without vertebral fracture was compared using the area under receiver-operating characteristic curve. When the lowest single LS T-score of L1-L4 and the total spine T-score were used, 77% and 57% of women were categorized as having osteoporosis, respectively. These T-score approaches had similar ability for discriminating between women with or without prevalent vertebral fractures and for predicting the risk of incident vertebral fractures. The lowest single LS vertebra T-score identified a greater proportion of women with osteoporosis than currently accepted approaches. Thus, the WHO diagnostic classification should not be applied to single vertebral T-scores. This analysis supports the current International Society for Clinical Densitometry position to use the total spine T-score for osteoporosis diagnosis.

 

J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2008 Jun 11. [Epub ahead of print]

Intake of vitamin D and risk of breast cancer-A meta-analysis.

Gissel T, Rejnmark L, Mosekilde L, Vestergaard P.

The Osteoporosis Clinic, Aarhus Amtssygehus, Aarhus University Hospital, Tage Hansens Gade 2, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

Vitamin D insufficiency has been shown to be associated with a number of conditions including diabetes, multiple sclerosis and the overall risk of cancer. We aimed at studying the association between vitamin D intake and risk of breast cancer in a meta-analysis. We searched Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science using the MESH terms "vitamin D" and "breast cancer". A total of 1731 studies were identified, but only 6 studies contained original data on the association between intake of vitamin D and risk of breast cancer. Overall there was no association between amount of vitamin D and risk of breast cancer (RR=0.98, 95% CI: 0.93-1.03, test for heterogeneity p<0.01). However, most studies reported on very low intakes of vitamin D (typically in the range 100-400IU/day). Restricting the analyses to intakes >/=400IU/day yielded a more homogenous result with a trend towards less breast cancer with >/=400IU/day vs. the lowest intake (typically <50-150IU/day), RR=0.92, 95% CI: 0.87-0.97, p for heterogeneity 0.14. In conclusion there may be a trend towards fewer cases of breast cancer with higher intakes of vitamin D (>/=400IU/day). However, more research is needed, preferably in the form of randomized-controlled trials.

 

J Bone Miner Res. 2008 Jul 2. [Epub ahead of print]

Practical Operationalizations of Risk Factors for Fracture in Older Women: Results From Two Longitudinal Studies.

Pluijm S, Steyerberg E, Kuchuk N, Rivadeneira F, Looman C, Van Schoor N, Koes B, Mackenbach J, Lips P, Pols H.

Abstract Several guidelines on osteoporosis have proposed algorithms to identify persons at high risk of fractures. Although these algorithms include well-known risk factors, it is not clear how they can best be operationalized for use in general practice. The aim of this study was to compare the predictive performance of different operationalizations of four categories of risk factors for fractures that can be used in general practice. 4157 women of 60 years and older (mean +/- SD: 74.1+/-9.1 yrs) with a median follow-up of 8.9 yrs of the Rotterdam Study, and 762 women of 65 years and older (mean +/- SD: 76.0+/-6.7.yrs) with a median follow-up of 6.0 years of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA). At baseline, information on four categories of risk factors was obtained, including 1) family history of hip fractures, 2) type of prior fractures, 3) low body weight/body mass index (BMI), and 4) mobility impairment. The occurrence of fragility fractures, including hip, pelvic, humerus and wrist fractures, was used as outcome measure. We quantified the predictive performance of each risk factor by a chi(2) statistic, calculated as the difference in -2 Log likelihood attributable to the risk factor, with adjustment for age and other risk factors. In the Rotterdam Study, 399 fragility fractures occurred during 31,472 person-years (PY) of follow-up. In this study, any prior fracture in the past five years (chi(2)=6; p=0.02), body weight <64 kg (vs. >=64 kg; chi(2)=6.7; p=0.01) or BMI<22 kg/m2 (vs. >=22 kg/m2; chi(2)=8.7; p=0.003) and use of a walking aid (chi(2)=7.5; p=0.004) were the most practical operationalizations of the risk factor categories, after adjustment for age and other risk factors. In LASA, 52 fragility fractures occurred during 3935 PY of follow-up. Associations were similar as in the Rotterdam Study, except that low body weight and BMI were not associated with fragility fracture. None of the usual operationalizations of family history of hip fractures was independently associated with fragility fracture in either study. Prior osteoporotic fracture, body weight <64 kg or a BMI lower than 22 kg/m2 and the use of a walking aid are practical operationalizations of risk factors for fragility fractures. On the basis of the results of this study, a simple, practical algorithm can be developed for use in general practice.

 

Aging Clin Exp Res. 2008 Jun;20(3):201-6.

Free testosterone levels and implications on clinical outcomes in elderly men.

Yavuz BB, Ozkayar N, Halil M, Cankurtaran M, Ulger Z, Tezcan E, Gurlek A, Ariogul S.

Department of Internal Medicine, Hacettepe University, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey. bbdogu@yahoo.com.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Aging is accompanied by a progressive decline in serum testosterone. Evidence concerning the clinical manifestations of low serum testosterone levels is contradictory. We aimed to examine the age-related decline in testosterone and the possible clinical outcomes, including erectile dysfunction, prostatism, cognitive function, daily life activities, depression, and osteoporosis. METHODS: One hundred and twenty men underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment. Testosterone and free testosterone levels were measured, geriatric assessment scales, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and International Prostate Symptom Scale (IPSS) were performed, and bone mineral densities were determined. RESULTS: The mean age of the 120 men was 73.8+/-5.90. A significant decrease in testosterone and free testosterone levels with increasing age was determined (p=0.021). It was also found that erectile dysfunction, as determined by IIEF (r=0.66, p<0.001), and symptoms of prostatism determined by IPSS (r=-0.23, p=0.016), were significantly associated with low free testosterone levels. Laboratory parameters, obesity, osteoporosis, cognitive function, daily life activities, and cardiovascular diseases were not significantly different between groups with low and normal free testosterone levels. CONCLUSION: Age-related decrease in free testosterone may lead to ere

 

Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz. 2008 Jul;51(7):782-786

Progestin and breast cancer : The missing pieces of a puzzle.

Giersig C.

Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, Bonn, BRD, c.giersig@bfarm.de.

The previous assumption that progestin does not promote breast cancer development needs to be re-examined since a growing body of evidence indicates the opposite. Data from recent experimental trials and results from clinical and epidemiological studies on hormonal contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have been confronted with breast cancer cases known from the German database of adverse drug reactions (ADR), reported in association with the use of progestin only contraceptives (POC) and combined oral contraceptives (COC). Also cases reported in association with HRT have been analysed. The available data complement one another showing a tumour promoting potential of progestin, possibly higher than that of a combination of estrogen and progestin. These assumptions are based on the following facts: 1) in estrogen-supplemented animals, progesterone has been shown to reactivate the growth of regressed tumour xenograft obtained from breast cancer cell lines, expressing both estrogen and progesterone receptor; 2) antiprogestin has been revealed to suppress the reactivation of the growth of tumour xenograft and to fully suppress the development of breast cancer in an animal model for BRCA1 gene mutation; 3) metabolites of progesterone have been recognised as potent regulators of cell proliferation, cell detachment and apoptosis; 4) progesterone has been shown to inhibit, in a dose-dependent manner, apoptosis in breast cancer cell lines and apoptosis induced by doxorubicin and 5-fluorouracyl (drugs used in breast cancer treatment); 5) an association between breast cancer and HRT was suspected upon the addition of progestin on a regular basis for the prevention of endometrial cancer; 6) in a randomised placebo-controlled trial on HRT an increased risk of breast cancer was shown for the combination of estrogen and progestin, but not for estrogen alone; 7) in epidemiological studies on POC the recognition of an increased breast cancer risk was most probably impeded due to previously unrecognised systematic selection bias; 8) in a large epidemiological study on the risk of early-onset breast cancer in association with COC an increased risk was detected for COC use up to 1975, but no increased, even a slightly decreased, risk was shown for users of low-dose COC, applied since 1976; 9) a considerably higher number of breast cancer cases have been reported from Germany on POC than on the widely used (111 versus 12); 10) the big resemblance among the breast cancers reported for POC and their similarity with breast malignancies diagnosed in pregnancy suggest the existence of a relatioship.

 

Gynecol Endocrinol. 2007 Oct;23 Suppl 1:32-41.

Progestins and breast cancer.

Pasqualini JR.

Hormones and Cancer Research Unit, Institut de Puériculture et de Périnatalogie, Paris, France.

Progestins exert their progestational activity by binding to the progesterone receptor (form A, the most active and form B, the less active) and may also interact with other steroid receptors (androgen, glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, estrogen). They can have important effects in other tissues besides the endometrium, including the breast, liver, bone and brain. The biological responses of progestins cover a very large domain: lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, water and electrolyte regulation, hemostasis, fibrinolysis, and cardiovascular and immunological systems. At present, more than 200 progestin compounds have been synthesized, but the biological response could be different from one to another depending on their structure, metabolism, receptor affinity, experimental conditions, target tissue or cell line, as well as the biological response considered. There is substantial evidence that mammary cancer tissue contains all the enzymes responsible for the local biosynthesis of estradiol (E(2)) from circulating precursors. Two principal pathways are implicated in the final steps of E(2) formation in breast cancer tissue: the 'aromatase pathway', which transforms androgens into estrogens, and the 'sulfatase pathway', which converts estrone sulfate (E(1)S) into estrone (E(1)) via estrone sulfatase. The final step is the conversion of weak E(1) to the potent biologically active E(2) via reductive 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity. It is also well established that steroid sulfotransferases, which convert estrogens into their sulfates, are present in breast cancer tissues. It has been demonstrated that various progestins (e.g. nomegestrol acetate, medrogestone, promegestone) as well as tibolone and their metabolites can block the enzymes involved in E(2) bioformation (sulfatase, 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) in breast cancer cells. These substances can also stimulate the sulfotransferase activity which converts estrogens into the biologically inactive sulfates. The action of progestins in breast cancer is very controversial; some studies indicate an increase in breast cancer incidence, others show no difference and still others a significant decrease. Progestin action can also be a function of combination with other molecules (e.g. estrogens). In order to clarify and better understand the response of progestins in breast cancer (incidence, mortality), as well as in hormone replacement therapy or endocrine dysfunction, new clinical trials are needed studying other progestins as a function of the dose and period of treatment.

 

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2008 Jun 25. [Epub ahead of print]

Effect of sildenafil on clitoral blood flow and sexual response in postmenopausal women with orgasmic dysfunction.

Cavalcanti AL, Bagnoli VR, Fonseca AM, Pastore RA, Cardoso EB, Paixão JS, Soares JM Jr, Saad F, Baracat EC.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of São Paulo, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of sildenafil citrate on clitoral blood flow and sexual response in postmenopausal women with orgasmic dysfunction. METHOD: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial 22 women received a 50-mg dose of sildenafil (n=11) or placebo (n=11) daily for 15 days. The Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) was used for subjective evaluation of the sexual-response cycle. Clitoral blood flow was measured by color and pulse Doppler at baseline, after 1 hour of taking the first dose, and after 15 days of treatment. RESULTS: Blood flow was significantly more improved in the sildenafil than in the placebo group (P<0.05), and a positive correlation between Doppler values and GRISS scores was noted in the sildenafil group after only 15 days of treatment. CONCLUSION: Sildenafil may improve clitoral blood flow and increase the GRISS scores in postmenopausal women with orgasmic dysfunction.