Hyperhomocysteinemia, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction in postmenopausal women
Pulvirenti, D.; Signorelli, S.; Sciacchitano, S.; Di Pino, L.; Tsami, A.; Ignaccolo, L.; Neri, S.
La Clinica Terapeutica 158(3): 213-217
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-9074 PMID: 17612279 Document Number: 606015
Menopause seems to accelerate the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Several studies show a significant correlation between elevated homocysteine serum levels and increased cardiovascular risk. Oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Our study aim was to assess the correlations between intima-media thickness, homocysteine serum levels and oxidative stress both in fertile and postmenopausal women. We have investigated 34 fertile women (mean age = 42 +/- 2 yrs; BMI = 21 kg/m2 and 34 postmenopausal women (48 +/- 3 yrs; BMI = 22 +/- 2 kg/m2). Results show increased levels of homocysteine, oxidative stress and intima-media tickness (IMT) in postmenopausal women. having a positive correlation with IMT. The positive correlations between serum levels of homocysteine and IMT in postmenopausal women reinforce the idea that a hyperhomocysteinemia may play a role in the progression of atherosclerosis. The lack of estrogens could be a pathophysiologic risk factor for endothelial damage via an augmented oxidative stress. Clin