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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BHNRC) » Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center » Diet, Genomics and Immunology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #123409
Title: BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY ON CHROMIUM STATUS & GLUCOSE & LIPID METABOLISM IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Author
item ROUSSEL, ANNE - UNIV. JOSEPH FOURIER, FR
item ISABELLE, BUREAU - UNIV. JOSEPH FOURIER, FR
item MAX, FAVIER - GRENOBLE HOSPITAL, FR
item Polansky, Marilyn
item Bryden, Noella
item Anderson, Richard

Submitted to: Maturitas
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/6/2001
Publication Date: 2/2/2002
Citation: Roussel, A., Isabelle, B., Max, F., Polansky, M.M., Bryden, N.A., Anderson, R.A. 2002. Beneficial effects of hormone replacement therapy on chromium status & glucose & lipid metabolism in postmenopausal women. Maturitas. 42:63-69 (2002)

Interpretive Summary: Postmenopausal women exhibit an increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with younger women. However, women receiving hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) seem to be protected. Since chromium (Cr) functions in improving risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases and these variables, as well as Cr status, decline with menopause, Cr status may be a controlling factor in the effects of hormone replacement therapy. Plasma Cr concentrations were significantly higher in postmenopausal women receiving HRT that in untreated postmenopausal women and urinary Cr excretion was decreased indicating better chromium status. Blood sugars and fats, that are improved by improved chromium nutrition, were also improved by hormone replacement therapy. In summary, chromium status, and blood sugars and fats were improved in postmenopausal women receiving HRT. Additional studies are needed to determine if improved Cr status due to supplemental Cr can elicit effects consistent with those of hormone replacement therapy. This work is of benefit to the medical and scientific communities and the millions of women contemplating hormone replacement therapy.

Technical Abstract: Postmenopausal women exhibit an increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with younger women. However, women receiving hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) seem to be protected. Since chromium (Cr) functions in glucose, lipid and corticosteroid metabolism and these variables, as well as Cr status, decline with age, Cr status may be a controlling factor in the effects of hormone replacement therapy. Plasma Cr concentrations were significantly lower in untreated postmenopausal women than in women receiving HRT (0.070 +- 0.008 vs 0.100 +- 0.008 ng/ml) whereas urinary Cr excretion was increased (0.14 +- 0.02 vs 0.07 +- 0.01 ng of Cr/mg creatinine). The urinary losses of Cr were inversely correlated with plasma estridiol. Median value of urinary Cr was higher in postmenopausal women exhibiting endogenous estradiol levels below 250 nmol/1, whereas women with estriodiol llevels > 250 nmol/l, exhibited lower Cr values. Plasma fructosamine, total and LDL cholesterol TC/HDL ratio, which are all decreased by improved improved Cr nutrition, were also improved in the women receiving HRT. There were also nonsignificant decreasing trends in DHER-sulfate (p<0.06) and cortisol (0.07). In summary, chromium status, based upon blood and and urinary analyses, and glucose, insulin and lipid variables were improved in postmenopausal women receiving HRT. Additional studies are needed to determine if improved Cr status due to supplemental Cr can elicit effects consistent with those of hormone replacement therapy.