1.
Effects of Hormone Therapy and Flavonoids Capable on Reversal of Menopausal Immune Senescence.
Vrachnis, N, Zygouris, D, Vrachnis, D, Antonakopoulos, N, Fotiou, A, Panagopoulos, P, Kolialexi, A, Pappa, K, Mastorakos, G, Iliodromiti, Z
Nutrients. 2021;13(7)
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One characteristic of menopause is immune senescence, the gradual decline of the immune system associated with age and hormone changes. This leads to a reduced immune response and increased inflammatory state. Current options to support the immune system during menopause include hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and flavonoid-rich supplementation. While evidence shows these options may influence immune senescence during menopause, specific inflammatory markers and molecular pathways need to be clarified. The aim of this review is to present the latest findings on these therapies and suggest possible directions for future research and treatment. The current literature suggests HRT can modulate the overall inflammatory state. There is not sufficient evidence to show flavonoids enhance the immune response in menopausal women. Based on the discrepancies in the available studies, the authors conclude future studies are needed to better understand the pathways and mediators connecting HRT and the immune system. This understanding will lead to more targeted therapies for menopausal women and the authors point to flavonoid-rich products as a basis for developing future treatment directions.
Abstract
Menopause, probably the most important natural change in a woman's life and a major component of female senescence, is characterized, inter alia, by cessation of ovarian estrogen and progesterone production, resulting in a gradual deterioration of the female immune system. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used in postmenopausal women to relieve some of the peri- and postmenopausal symptoms, while there is also evidence that the therapy may additionally partially reverse menopausal immune senescence. Flavonoids, and especially isoflavones, are widely used for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, although it is not at present clear whether they can reverse or alleviate other menopausal changes. HRT reverses the menopausal CD4/CD8 ratio and also limits the general peri- and postmenopausal inflammatory state. Moreover, the increased levels of interleukins (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8, as well as of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) are decreased after the initiation of HRT. However, some reports show no effect of HRT on IL-4, IL-10, and IL-12. It is thus evident that the molecular pathways connecting HRT and female immune senescence need to be clarified. Interestingly, recent studies have suggested that the anti-inflammatory properties of isoflavones possibly interact with inflammatory cytokines when applied in menopause treatments, thereby potentially reversing immune senescence. This narrative review presents the latest data on the effect of menopausal therapies, including administration of flavonoid-rich products, on age-associated immune senescence reversal with the aim of revealing possible directions for future research and treatment development.
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Diet to Reduce the Metabolic Syndrome Associated with Menopause. The Logic for Olive Oil.
Hidalgo-Mora, JJ, Cortés-Sierra, L, García-Pérez, MÁ, Tarín, JJ, Cano, A
Nutrients. 2020;12(10)
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Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of risk factors that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The rates of MetS are increasing worldwide. Obesity, particularly central obesity is a major determinant of insulin resistance. It is believed that insulin resistance is the driver for MetS. This is a particular concern for women as central obesity is more likely to occur during the menopause, due in part to the hormonal changes. Physical activity and nutrition have been recommended as the first line of defence against MetS with the Mediterranean diet (MD) being one of the healthiest options. Olive oil (OO) is a main component of the MD and contains certain fats and polyphenols which impact inflammation, oxidative stress and support the gut microbiome. This review provides an overview of these benefits most relevant to menopause-associated MetS. A healthy lifestyle, with nutrition as a vital component, needs to be implemented as a primary measure. The healthy diet needs to be easy to follow and effective, two conditions successfully met by the MD. OO may prove especially helpful for women, particularly during this life stage. The clinical evidence, however, is limited by the observational nature of most studies.
Abstract
The rates of metabolic syndrome are increasing in parallel with the increasing prevalence of obesity, primarily due to its concomitant insulin resistance. This is particularly concerning for women, as the years around menopause are accompanied by an increase in visceral obesity, a strong determinant of insulin resistance. A fall in estrogens and increase in the androgen/estrogen ratio is attributed a determining role in this process, which has been confirmed in other physiological models, such as polycystic ovary syndrome. A healthy lifestyle, with special emphasis on nutrition, has been recommended as a first-line strategy in consensuses and guidelines. A consistent body of evidence has accumulated suggesting that the Mediterranean diet, with olive oil as a vital component, has both health benefits and acceptable adherence. Herein, we provide an updated overview of current knowledge on the benefits of olive oil most relevant to menopause-associated metabolic syndrome, including an analysis of the components with the greatest health impact, their effect on basic mechanisms of disease, and the state of the art regarding their action on the main features of metabolic syndrome.
