Association of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide and sex hormone-binding globulin in non-obese peri- and postmenopausal women.
BACKGROUND
The relationships between N-terminal fragment proBNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) (NT-proBNP) and sex steroid hormones have not been fully elucidated. We examined these associations in pre-, peri- and postmenopausal women without known cardiovascular disease. We also examined the change in circulating NT-proBNP caused by a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist in order to clarify the effect of acute hormone deficiency on NT-proBNP.


METHODS
Forty-nine premenopausal women, 101 perimenopausal women and 108 postmenopausal women were enrolled in one study. Forty-four premenopausal women with leiomyoma were recruited for another study, and 22 of those women were treated with a GnRH agonist. Serum levels of NT-proBNP, estradiol, testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured.


RESULTS
NT-proBNP concentrations showed significant inverse correlations with body mass index (BMI) in peri- and postmenopausal women. Serum NTproBNP concentrations showed significant positive correlations with SHBG in peri- and postmenopausal women. These significant correlations remained after adjustment for age and BMI. Serum NT-proBNP concentration was significantly decreased after GnRH agonist administration, while NT-proBNP concentration in the control group did not change significantly. Serum SHBG level was also significantly decreased after GnRH agonist administration.


CONCLUSIONS
Circulating NT-proBNP levels are positively associated with SHBG levels in non-obese peri- and postmenopausal women, and this relationship was found under the condition of acute hormone deficiency induced by GnRH agonist treatment.
Yasui
Toshiyuki
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Course of Human Development, Human Development and Health Science, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan. yasui@clin.med.tokushima-u.ac.jp
Matsui
Sumika
S
Saijo
Ayako
A
Kaji
Takashi
T
Yamamoto
Satoshi
S
Uemura
Hirokazu
H
Matsuzaki
Toshiya
T
Irahara
Minoru
M
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D009765:Obesity; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D047648:Perimenopause / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D017697:Premenopause / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone