Life-style and metformin for the prevention of endometrial pathology in postmenopausal women

Abstract

In western women, the endometrium is frequently exposed, even after menopause, to the endogenous hormonal stimulation. Such a stimulation increases the risk of pathologic conditions such as endometrial hyperplasia and type I (endometrioid) endometrial adenocarcinoma. Metabolic syndrome, obesity, insulin resistance and type II diabetes promote the endometrial stimulation, and are recognized risk factors for endometrial cancer. Furthermore, chronic hyperinsulinemia linked both to obesity and metabolic syndrome influences endometrial proliferation through direct and indirect actions. Intentional weight loss, calorie restriction and physical activity are associated with a reduced risk of the endometrial pathology. Biological mechanisms include reduction in insulin and sex steroid hormone levels. In addition to life-style modifications, the antidiabetic metformin may be proposed as preventive agent. Metformin reduces the metabolic syndrome, lowers insulin and testosterone levels in postmenopausal women, and it is a potent inhibitor of endometrial cancer cell proliferation.

Keywords::

• Endometrial cancer
• endometrial hyperplasia
• insulin
• metformin
• sex hormones

Declaration of Interest: The Metformin Study, to the preliminary results of which we refer in this presentation, has been effected thanks to the financial support of “Compagnia di San Paolo”, “Fondazione CRT” and “Regione Piemonte” and to the clinical cooperation of the Centers of the “Rete Oncologica di Torino”.