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Postmenopausal FSH level may negatively affect lipid profile
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Increased levels of LDL and total cholesterol are often found with high levels of postmenopausal follicle-stimulating hormone, according to recent study findings published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
“The increased serum levels of [follicle-stimulating hormone] may attenuate degradation of LDL [cholesterol] by inhibiting LDL [receptor] expression in the liver tissues, which in turn could elevate the level of serum LDL [cholesterol] and increase the incidence of cardiovascular disease,” the researchers wrote.
He-Feng Huang, MD, of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China, and colleagues evaluated 400 healthy postmenopausal women aged 42 to 60 years to determine the influence and mechanism by which high postmenopausal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels affect lipid profile. All participants underwent hormone therapy at the Women’s Hospital of Zhejiang University from 2010 to July 2013.
Participants were divided into two groups based on the median value of FSH: group one (FSH < 78.3 IU/L; n = 200) and group two (FSH 78.3 IU/L; n = 200).
Higher serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels were found in group two compared with group one (P < .01).
After 12 months of daily treatment with 1-mg estradiol valerate tablets, mean FSH concentrations decreased by 29.6% from 82.67 IU/L at baseline. Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol also decreased from baseline (P < .05 for both).
Compared with group one, group two had higher reductions in serum FSH (P < .01), total cholesterol (P < .01) and LDL cholesterol (P < .01) after treatment; no differences were found between the groups for estradiol levels.
Significant improvements in serum levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were found among participants with significantly reduced FSH levels (decreased by 30%).
“In conclusion, the huge menopausal endocrine change, especially sharply raising the serum FSH levels, exhibited negative effects on lipid levels,” the researchers wrote. “Our results indicate that FSH may interact with its receptors in hepatocytes and reduce LDL [receptor] levels, which subsequently attenuate the endocytosis of LDL [cholesterol], resulting in an elevated circulating LDL [cholesterol] level. This founding may indicate a novel mechanism of postmenopausal dyslipidemia and may provide a rationale for [hormone therapy] inhibition of FSH levels targeted approaches for the clinical treatment.” – by Amber Cox
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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