Follicle‐Stimulating Hormone, Its Association with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, and 10‐Year Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

BackgroundCardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in postmenopausal women. Follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) shows negative associations with obesity and diabetes mellitus in postmenopausal women. We aimed to study the associations between FSH and 10‐year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in postmenopausal women.Methods and Results SPECT‐China (the Survey on Prevalence in East China for Metabolic Diseases and Risk Factors) is a 22‐site, population‐based study conducted during 2014–2015. This study included 2658 postmenopausal women. A newly developed effective tool for 10‐year ASCVD risk prediction among Chinese was adopted. Regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship among FSH, 10‐year ASCVD risk, and multiple cardiometabolic risk factors. With the increase in FSH quartiles, the mean 10‐year ASCVD risk in postmenopausal women decreased from 4.9% to 3.3%, and most metabolic parameters were significantly ameliorated (all P for trend <0.05). In regression analyses, a 1‐SD increment in ln‐FSH was negatively associated with continuous (B −0.12, 95% confidence interval, −0.16, −0.09, P<0.05) and categorical (odds ratio 0.65, 95% confidence interval, 0.49, 0.85, P<0.05) 10‐year ASCVD risk. These significant associations existed in subgroups with or without medication use, obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Body mass index and waist circumference (both B −0.35, 95% confidence interval, −0.40, −0.30, P<0.05) had the largest associations of all metabolic measures, and blood pressure had the smallest association.ConclusionsSerum FSH levels were negatively associated with 10‐year ASCVD risk in postmenopausal women. Among cardiometabolic factors, obesity indices had the largest associations with FSH. These results indicated that a low FSH might be a risk factor or a biomarker for cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal women.

A clinical and proteomics approach to predict the presence of obstructive peripheral arterial disease: From the Catheter Sampled Blood Archive in Cardiovascular Diseases (CASABLANCA) Study

“…We found lower concentrations of FSH in patients with PAD. Indeed, this is in keeping with a prior study describing FSH being inversely related to carotid intima‐media thickness and increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease . Finally, angiopoietin‐1 promotes endothelial‐cell survival, stabilizes endothelial interactions with supporting cells, and limits the permeability‐inducing effects of vascular endothelial growth factor .…”

“…Indeed, this is in keeping with a prior study describing FSH being inversely related to carotid intima-media thickness 19 and increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. 20 Finally, angiopoietin-1 promotes endothelialcell survival, stabilizes endothelial interactions with supporting cells, and limits the permeability-inducing effects of vascular endothelial growth factor. 21 Further, depletion of angiopoietin-1 results in defects in endocardial and myocardial tissue, which supports its role in vascular health and pathology.…”

Sex hormone levels by presence and severity of cirrhosis in women with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

“…13,14 Recent data specifically highlight the association of low FSH on risk of CAD in post-menopausal women, which may relate to the pro-angiogenic activity of FSH. 15 We also identified lower DHEAS in cirrhotic women, a finding which has been observed in other forms of advanced liver, such as advanced NASH fibrosis. 16 Interestingly, in women with hypoadrenalism, DHEA replacement has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, suggesting its potential contribution to glucose homoeostasis and cardio-metabolic health.…”

“…Like SHBG, low FSH levels are also associated with obesity, diabetes mellitus, as well as risk of NAFLD in post‐menopausal women, largely independent of oestrogen levels . Recent data specifically highlight the association of low FSH on risk of CAD in post‐menopausal women, which may relate to the pro‐angiogenic activity of FSH . We also identified lower DHEAS in cirrhotic women, a finding which has been observed in other forms of advanced liver, such as advanced NASH fibrosis .…”

Masked arterial hypertension: prevalence, pathophysiological determinants and clinical significance

“…В общей популяции взрослого населения этот фенотип чаще встречается у мужчин, чем у женщин, но с возрастом эти различия стираются. Известно, что прогестерон является дыхательным аналептиком, регулирующим центральную инспираторную активность и сократительную функцию дыхательных мышц, а снижение его секреции в климактерическом периоде тормозит указанную активность [47]. Утренний фенотип МАГ обычно связан с работой в ночные смены или с приемом алкоголя в вечернее время.…”