Correlation of plasma microRNA-21 expression and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the correlation of plasma microRNA-21 expression and bone turnover markers (BTMs: CTx, P1NP) in healthy Thai postmenopausal women. We secondarily compared microRNA-21 expression between participants with normal and low bone mineral density (BMD: osteopenia and osteoporosis). METHODS: Postmenopausal women who had never been diagnosed with fracture or never used anti-osteoporosis drugs were included in this study. Baseline characteristics were collected from all 195 participants. BTMs and plasma miR-21-5p were analyzed from blood collection at 8:00 and 9:00 am after overnight fasting for at least 8 h. RESULTS: There was no significant correlation between miR-21-5p and any of the BTMs (CTx, r = 0.094, p = 0.19; P1NP, r = 0.05, p = 0.485). Significant correlation between miR-21-5p and P1NP was found when participants were further categorized into those aged ≥70 years (r = 0.46, p = 0.05) and those having osteoporosis (r = 0.51, p = 0.06). Slight negative correlations were found between miR-21-5p and BMD. There was statistically significant higher expression of miR-21-5p in those with low BMD when compared to the normal BMD group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In this study, we did not find significant correlation between plasma microRNA-21-5p expression and the BTMs. Nevertheless, there seemed to be higher expression of miR-21-5p in the low BMD participants.

The effect of vitamin D2 supplementation on muscle strength in early postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] has been shown to be associated with low muscle mass and loss of muscle strength, resulting in increased disability and frailty in older men and women. Vitamin D deficiency is common in postmenopausal women. The primary objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on muscle strength in early postmenopausal women. The effects of vitamin D2 supplementation on muscle mass and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) were secondarily investigated. METHODS: A 12-week, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in early postmenopausal women (45-60 years old) with vitamin D deficiency (serum 25(OH)D < 20 ng/ml). A total of 88 subjects were randomized into group I: vitamin D2 supplement 40 000 IU/week (n = 44), or group II: placebo (n = 44). Serum 25(OH)D level, muscle strength, muscle mass and muscle CSA were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks after the supplementation. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of supplementation, 70% of women in group I achieved a sufficient level of serum 25(OH)D (>30 ng/ml). There were significant differences in changes of serum 25(OH)D levels between the two groups (p < 0.05). Muscle strength and muscle CSA in group I increased significantly after 12 weeks (p = 0.015, 0.045, respectively). However, there were no significant differences in the mean changes of muscle strength, muscle mass and muscle CSA between the two groups (p = 0.16, 0.89, 0.84, respectively). CONCLUSION: In this study, we found no obvious effect of vitamin D supplementation on the changes in muscle strength, muscle mass and muscle CSA when compared to placebo. However, there were significant changes in muscle strength and muscle CSA from baseline in the vitamin D supplementation group.

An International Menopause Society study of vasomotor symptoms in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Thailand.

OBJECTIVES: To examine relationships between location, demographics, lifestyle, beliefs, and experience of hot flushes and night sweats (HFNS) amongst women living in two cities in Thailand. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of peri- and postmenopausal women, aged 45-55 years, from Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Participants completed questionnaires (demographics, health, HFNS (prevalence, frequency and problem-rating) and beliefs about menopause). A sub-sample of women from each location was interviewed. RESULTS: A total of 632 women (320 Bangkok and 312 Chiang Mai) aged 50.88 (standard deviation 3.06) years, took part. The prevalence of HFNS was 65%, average HFNS frequency 8.7 (10.8) per week and problem rating 4.3/10. Women from Chiang Mai had significantly more problematic HFNS, but prevalence and frequency were similar in both sites. Poor general health predicted HFNS prevalence and frequency, while Chiang Mai location, HFNS frequency, age, diet and beliefs about menopause were associated with problematic HFNS. Location remained significant after controlling for education, occupation and age; location was partially explained by beliefs. Qualitative interview responses illustrated the differences in beliefs about menopause between locations. CONCLUSION: HFNS reports are prevalent with moderate frequency and problem-ratings in these urban centers in Thailand. The results will be included in the broader International Menopause Society study of Climate, Altitude and Temperature (IMS-CAT) of the impact of climate on HFNS.