Influence of menopause on serum lipids and lipoproteins.
The influence of the menopause on serum lipids and lipoproteins was examined longitudinally at 6-week intervals for 2-3 years in pre-menopausal women undergoing the menopause. Serum lipid and lipoprotein profiles were also examined cross-sectionally in 4 groups of pre-menopausal, peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women, who were followed up longitudinally at 3-monthly examinations for 1-2 years. The results covering 1360 examinations and 270 woman-years are reported here. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol (P = 0.001), low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P = 0.001) and triglycerides (P less than 0.05) increased significantly as a consequence of the menopause and all increases occurred within 6 months of cessation of menstrual periods. High-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) as a consequence of the menopause, but the decline occurred gradually over the 2 years preceding cessation of menses. In addition to the menopausal changes, serum concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol increased gradually in the pre-menopausal and post-menopausal years, but were significantly related to biological age only in the pre-menopausal groups (P less than 0.05). Serum triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol levels remained virtually unchanged in the pre-menopausal as well as the post-menopausal groups and were only influenced by the actual menopause. Serum lipids and lipoproteins are thus significantly altered as a consequence of the menopause. The result is a more atherogenic lipid profile which may partly explain the increased risk of cardiovascular disease observed in post-menopausal women.
Jensen
J
J
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Nilas
L
L
Christiansen
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D004970:Estrone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008593:Menopause / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D004970:Estrone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone