Lipid accumulation product (LAP) is related to androgenicity and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether lipid accumulation product (LAP) is related to androgen and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels and to cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women with no evidence of established cardiovascular disease.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
LAP (waist-58 × triglycerides [nmol/L]), LAP ≥ arbitrary cutoff point of 34.5, serum testosterone, SHBG, ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (us-CRP).


RESULTS
Forty-nine women (mean age 55±5 years; median amenorrhea time 5.5 years [3-8]) were studied: 14% had the metabolic syndrome and 24.5% were hypertensive. Compared with LAP<34.5, LAP ≥ 34.5 (n=29, 59%) was associated with higher testosterone (p=0.021) and free androgen index (FAI) (p=0.003) and lower SHBG levels (p=0.013). Us-CRP (p=0.012), total cholesterol (p=0.041), glucose (p=0.020) and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) (p=0.019) were higher, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p=0.001) was lower with LAP ≥ 34.5. LAP was positively correlated with total testosterone (r=0.349, p=0.014), FAI (rs=0.470, p=0.001), us-CRP (r=0.315, p=0.042), systolic (r=0.318, p=0.028) and diastolic (r=0.327, p=0.023) blood pressure, total cholesterol (r=0.498, p<0.001) and glucose (rs=0.319, p=0.026). LAP was negatively correlated with SHBG (rs=-0.430, p=0.003) and HDL-C (r=-0.319, p=0.026).


CONCLUSIONS
LAP index seems to be associated with androgens and SHBG and with cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women. Also, LAP seems to be a suitable method to screen for cardiovascular risk in postmenopause.
Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Maria Augusta
MA
Maturana
Roberta M C
RM
Moreira
Poli Mara
PM
Spritzer
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*; D055105:Waist Circumference
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D014280:Triglycerides; D013739:Testosterone; D002097:C-Reactive Protein