Effects of Long-Term Oral Hormone Replacement Therapy on Plasma Nitric Oxide and Beta-Endorphin Levels in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between plasma nitric oxide (NO) and β-endorphin levels in women using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for 12 months. Material and Methods: Our study group was composed of 55 patients who were in at least their second postmenopausal year. Of the 55 patients, 25 were in the control group. All 30 women in the study group received 2 mg 17β-estradiol + 1 mg norethisterone acetate tablets daily for 12 months. Plasma NO and β-endorphin levels were measured both before and after the study period and possible relationships were analyzed. Results: There was a significant increase in both β-endorphin (p = 0.0001, 10.93 ± 2.25 vs. 14.85 ± 2.49) and NO (p = 0.0001, 19.79 ± 4.01 vs. 27.83 ± 10.27) levels measured after the study in the HRT group. A correlation was seen between the increments in β-endorphin and NO levels in the HRT group. Conclusion: Continuous combined HRT raises both plasma NO and β-endorphin levels and a close relationship was found between the two molecules after therapy. We postulate that the increment in these molecules may explain some of the beneficial effects of HRT on cognitive function and mood.

Acupuncture improves health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) and sleep in women with breast cancer and hot flushes

“…Moreover, both methods probably cause tactile, neuronal and cerebral stimuli [31][32][33] and are not perfect placebo methods. Since depressed mood, anxiety [34] and vasomotor symptoms [35,36] may be related to low hypothalamic β-endorphin activity and placebo effects are at least partially caused by increased β-endorphin activity [37], it is not surprising that placebo affects mood and hot flushes. The oral placebo effect has shown 10-50% reduction in number of flushes, during usually 3 months [38][39][40].…”

Age‐related changes in pro‐opiomelanocortin (POMC) and related receptors in human epidermis

“…The expression level changes of POMC gene and POMC‐derived peptides receptors are observed in donors 50 years of age, which could include menopausal women. It has been shown that a long‐term oral hormone replacement therapy increases beta endorphin levels in plasma [41]. Many studies showed an alteration of POMC under sex hormone influence, but most of them were carried out on pituitary glands and not in the skin.…”

Progesterone increased β-endorphin innervation of the locus coeruleus , but ovarian steroids had no effect on noradrenergic neurodegeneration

“…Also, the number of hypothalamic neurons expressing proopiomelanocortin (POMC), the precursor of β-endorphin, is reduced in women after menopause, suggesting that the decline of ovarian steroids might be responsible for this decrease (Abel & Rance, 1999). HRT increases plasma β-endorphin concentration, which in turn correlates with improved cognitive function, mood state and vasomotor activity (Akhan et al, 2002; Stomati et al, 1997). The specific effect of each ovarian steroid was suggested by Wardlaw & colleagues, (1982) who showed that treatment of ovariectomized rats with estradiol for three weeks decreased β-endorphin levels in hypothalamus, thalamus and mesencephalon.…”