Serum leptin concentrations in pre- and postmenopausal women on sex hormone therapy

Abstract

Aim. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of endogenous estradiol and estrogen and estrogen–progestin therapies on concentration in pre- and postmenopausal women.

Materials and methods. The study groups consisted of 26 women with surgical menopause (mean±standard deviation (SD): age 51.8±2.6 years, body mass index (BMI) 26.45±4.56 kg/m²), 54 with natural menopause (mean±SD: age 50.5±3.0 years, BMI 25.75±4.09 kg/m²) and 40 premenopausal controls (mean±SD: age 48.3±2.3 years, BMI 26.23±4.12 kg/m²). The group with surgical menopause received estradiol transdermally (50 μg/day) and those with natural menopause received additionally medroxyprogesterone acetate (5 mg/day) for the last 12 days of the cycle. Before and after 4 months of therapy, body weight, waist and hip circumferences and blood pressure were measured, and BMI and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. Serum leptin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E₂), testosterone, prolactin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were measured prior to and after treatment.

Results. Leptin concentrations did not differ statistically among the groups. No correlations between leptin and E₂, FSH, prolactin, testosterone and DHEAS concentrations were found in any of the groups before and after treatment. Leptin level correlated positively with body mass, BMI and hip and waist circumferences in all groups. There were no correlations between leptin and WHR in the pre- and postmenopausal groups. In the premenopausal group and in some postmenopausal groups, serum leptin level correlated with blood pressure.

Conclusions. Endogenous E₂ and androgens in premenopausal women and estrogen and estrogen–progestin therapies in postmenopausal subjects do not influence serum leptin concentrations. Leptin level is related to body mass and BMI, but not to sex hormone status. The distribution of adipose tissue and the type of obesity (android or gynoid) have no influence on serum leptin concentration. The correlation between serum leptin level and blood pressure requires further investigation.

Keywords:

• Leptin
• menopause
• estradiol
• sex hormone therapy