Menopause-related differences in inflammation markers and their relationship to body fat distribution and insulin-stimulated glucose disposal.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether postmenopausal status is associated with elevated plasma inflammation markers compared to premenopausal status, and how this explains differences in fat distribution and insulin-stimulated glucose disposal.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
Clinical research center.


METHODS
Forty-five premenopausal women and 44 postmenopausal women.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured by ELISA. Intraabdominal, subcutaneous abdominal, and total fat were measured by computed tomographic scan and dual-photon x-ray absorptiometry. Insulin-stimulated glucose disposal was measured by euglycemic clamp.


RESULTS
The TNF-alpha was higher in postmenopausal compared to premenopausal women (4.81 +/- 1.99 vs. 3.54 +/- 0.85 pg/mL). Interleukin-6 and CRP did not differ by menopausal status. In both premenopausal and postmenopausal women, CRP was related positively to total fat. The CRP was related to intraabdominal fat only in postmenopausal women and was negatively related to insulin-stimulated glucose disposal in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women.


CONCLUSIONS
Postmenopausal status is characterized by higher TNF-alpha. The CRP may be associated with increased cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women by its association with higher intraabdominal fat. Higher CRP is associated with lower insulin-stimulated glucose disposal in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Sites
Cynthia K
CK
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Vermont College of Medicne, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA. csites@zoo.uvm.edu
Toth
Michael J
MJ
Cushman
Mary
M
L'Hommedieu
Georgia D
GD
Tchernof
André
A
Tracy
Russell P
RP
Poehlman
Eric T
ET
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D001835:Body Weight; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015309:Glucose Clamp Technique; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D017697:Premenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein