title: Body mass index, lipid metabolism and estrogens: their impact on coronary heart disease.
abstract: Estrogens influence lipid metabolism and body fat distribution in women. Premenopausal women have increased lipoprotein lipase action in abdominal and femoral subcutaneous fat compared with men of the same age. Estrogens may also affect adipose tissue either directly through specific estrogen receptors or indirectly via their effects on other tissues. As adipose tissue produces several cytokines including leptin, adiponectin and interleukin-6, estrogens may alter their levels, thus influencing various biological processes. Lack of estrogens such as in menopause, causes an increase in visceral adiposity, leading to changes in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. Due to those alterations, postmenopausal women are more prone to coronary heart disease. In this review the influence of estrogens on body mass index, lipid metabolism and some of the therapeutic options will be analyzed.
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Kolovou
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kolovou
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Kostakou
authors.affiliation: Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 356 Sygrou Ave, 17674 Athens, Greece. genovefa@kolovou.com.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mavrogeni
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D017698:Postmenopause; D011372:Progestins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D011372:Progestins; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases