[Evaluation of the influence of sex hormones on homocysteine concentration in pre- and postmenopausal women]

Abstract

The aim of study was to evaluate the influence of sex hormones: estradiol (E), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), progesterone (P), testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA-S) and cortisol (F) on the serum homocysteine concentration (HCY) in 40 premenopausal (group M) and 80 postmenopausal (group K) women. The influence of E2 therapy (ET) on the serum HCY level in the women with surgical menopause was also estimated. The plasma HCY concentration in the group M was significantly higher that in group K. After ET serum HCY level decreased significantly. No correlations were found between serum HCY and E2 concentrations in the all groups. No correlations were observed between HCY and FSH, P, T and F concentrations in pre-and postmenopausal groups. There was a significant negative correlation between serum HCY and DHEA-S concentration in group K. This result may indicate, that high level of DHEA decreases HCY concentration. There was no correlation in group M, where the mean concentration of DHEA was lower than in group K. The results of study indicate, that menopause increases and ET decreases plasma HCY concentration. DHEA-S may inhibit plasma HCY concentration in premenopausal women. More studies are needed to elucidate these hypotheses.