Endocrine Abstracts

The aim of the work was the analysis of dependencies between sex hormones and functioning of endothelium in women in the climacteric period with metabolic syndrome.

Fifty-three women with metabolic syndrome and 45 healthy women were examined.

Lipidogram (LDL: cholesterol-LDL, HDL: cholesterol-HDL), triglycerides(TG) and fasting glucose levels were determined. Body mass index BMI and waistline/hips index (WHI) were calculated.

The levels of testosterone (T) were measured using the RIA method. The level of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in blood was calculated using the IRMA method and CRP using the turbidymetric method. The levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs-9), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (MMP-1) and human tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) were measured using immunoassay method.

Free testosterone index (FTI) and free testosterone (FT) were determined by means of a calculation method. Fasting plasma glucose level was determined by enzymatic method with glucose oxidase.

The mean levels of CRP in groups with metabolic syndrome were 2.5±2.12 mg/dl, in healthy women 1.64±1.56 mg/dl (P<0.05).

There was a positive correlation (P<0.05) between TNFα: with FAI (r=0.233, P<0.05, N=69), with the percentage of free testosterone (r=0.328, P<0.05, N=69), with percentage of bioavailable testosterone (r=0.329, P<0.05) and negative correlation with SHBG(r=−0.236, N=69).

There was asignificantly positive correlation of TIMP1: with BMI (r=0.308, P<0.05, N=63), with waistline (r=0.372, P<0.01, N=63), with WHI (r=0.288, P<0.05, N=63).

There was a significantly positive correlation of MMP9: with fasting plasma glucose (r=0.264, P<0.05, N=77).

During the climacteric period in women the indexes of endothelium functioning (MMPs-9, TIMP-1, TNFα and CRP) decreased with the intensification of symptoms of metabolic syndrome: obesity, levels of fasting plasma glucose and levels of free testosterone index.