title: [Serum levels of antioxidants and vitamins related to the homocystein's metabolism during postmenopause].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe nutritional status, B6, B12, and antioxidant vitamins, as well as homocysteine concentrations in postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mexico City. One hundred twenty-five women were selected if they were healthy and were in their first five years after menopause onset. Women were spontaneously divided in two groups: women who did not receive any hormonal treatment for at least six months before the study (n = 66), and those who received hormonal treatment at the moment of the study (n = 59). Anthropometry was measured and a fasting blood sample from a peripheral vein was obtained to determine homocysteine, vitamins A, C, E, B6, B12, and folic acid. Results were compared with Student t-test, and a logistic regression model was used to calculate the risk of hyperhomocystinemia after adjusting by some potential confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women who did not receive hormone replacement therapy presented higher body mass index and waist-hip ratio than those who received such treatment. In contrast, this group presented higher prevalence of folic acid deficiency and hyperhomocystinemia, despite they consumed higher amounts of folic acid in the diet. This high risk of hyperhomocystinemia was independent of vitamin serum concentrations and the level of physical activity (OR = 15.1, IC95 = 1.60,141.9).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that hormone replacement therapy may protect against overweight and central fat distribution that occur after menopause, but increases the risk of hyperhomocystinemia.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación Médica en Nutrición, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social.
authors.forename: Mardya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: López Alarcón
authors.forename: Lyset P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Carmona Nava
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Montalvo Velarde
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: López Domínguez
authors.forename: Victor Saúl
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Vital Reyes
mesh_terms: D050153:Abdominal Fat; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000378:metabolism*; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012306:Risk; D014505:Urban Population; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood*; D025101:Vitamin B 6 / Q000097:blood*; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004967:Estrogens; D006710:Homocysteine; D011374:Progesterone; D025101:Vitamin B 6; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12