The effect of surgical menopause on the intima-media thickness of the carotid and coronary arteries

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of prior bilateral oophorectomy on the intima-media thickness (IMT) of coronary and carotid arteries.

Methods: A total of 25 Wistar albino rats, aged 8–10 weeks, were assigned to three groups: ovariectomized (n = 10), control (n = 10) and sham (n = 5). The rats in the sham group only underwent midline laparotomy, while the other rats’ ovaries were removed by the same type of laparotomy. All rats were sacrificed to evaluate microscopically the impact of a prolonged 26-week surgical menopause (menopausal period) on the IMT of the carotid and coronary arterial structure.

Results: The mean IMTs of both the carotid and coronary arteries in the ovariectomized group were significantly thicker than those of the control and sham groups (carotid arteries: 268.69 ± 53.67, 195.61 ± 47.60 and 193.86 ± 75.01 μm, p = 0.014; coronary arteries: 182.40 ± 30.22, 136.00 ± 35.82 and 165.24 ± 40.68 μm, p = 0.022, respectively).

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, surgical menopause results in a noteworthy increase in the IMT of the carotid and coronary arteries when compared with the controls. This interventional effect may have a significant role in accelerating the process of atherosclerosis.

Keywords:

• Carotid artery
• coronary artery
• intima-media thickness
• menopause
• ovariectomy
• rats

Conflict of interest

All the authors report that they have no possible conflicts of interest, sources of financial support, corporate involvement or patent holdings.

Source of funding

Nil.