Isolated vitamin D supplementation improves the adipokine profile of postmenopausal women: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation alone on the adipokine profile of postmenopausal women. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, 160 women were randomized to 2 groups: oral supplementation with 1,000 IU cholecalciferol/d (vitamin D, n = 80) or placebo (PL, n = 80). Women with amenorrhea 12 months or more and aged 50 to 65 years were included. Women with established cardiovascular disease, insulin-dependent diabetes, renal failure, liver diseases, and previous use of menopausal hormone therapy and vitamin D were excluded. The intervention lasted 9 months and serum adiponectin, resistin, and adipsin levels were determined at the start and end of treatment. Intention to treat was adopted as the statistical method using a repeated measures design, followed by Wald's multiple comparison test adjusted for group × time interaction. RESULTS: After 9 months, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations increased from 15.0 ± 7.5 to 27.5 ± 10.4 ng/mL (+45.4%) in the vitamin D group and decreased from 16.9 ± 6. to 13.8 ± 6.0 ng/mL (-18.5%) in the PL group ( P < 0.001). In the vitamin D group, there was an increase in adiponectin (+18.6%) and a decrease in resistin (-32.4%, P < 0.05). At the end point, a difference was observed between the PL and vitamin D groups in mean adiponectin and resistin levels (11.5 ± 5.5 vs 18.5 ± 21.8 ng/mL, P = 0.047, and 16.5 ± 3.5 vs 11.7 ± 3.3 ng/mL, P = 0.027, respectively). There were no significant intervention effects on serum adipsin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Daily supplementation with 1,000 IU of vitamin D alone was associated with an increase in adiponectin and a decrease in resistin, suggesting a beneficial effect on the adipokine profile of postmenopausal women with vitamin D deficiency.

Effects of Resistance Training at Different Loads on Inflammatory Biomarkers, Muscle Mass, Muscular Strength, and Physical Performance in Postmenopausal Women.

ABSTRACT: Carneiro, MAS, de Oliveira Júnior, GN, de Sousa, JFR, Murta, EFC, Orsatti, CL, Michelin, MA, Cyrino, ES, and Orsatti, FL. Effects of resistance training at different loads on inflammatory biomarkers, muscle mass, muscular strength, and physical performance in postmenopausal women. J Strength Cond Res 36(6): 1582-1590, 2022-It has been suggested that the effect of resistance training (RT) on circulating proinflammatory biomarkers may be dependent on muscle mass gain. A few recent studies have suggested that lower-load RT (LLRT; loads <50% of 1 repetition maximum [1RM] and repetition performed until, or close to, voluntary concentric failure) may be superior to higher-load RT (HLRT; loads >70% of 1RM) in increasing muscle mass. Hence, this study aimed to test whether LLRT is superior to HLRT for increasing muscle mass (total fat-free mass [TFFM] and leg fat-free mass [LFFM]) and improving circulating inflammatory biomarkers (interleukin [IL]-6, IL1-ra, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, and extracellular heat shock protein [eHSP]70) in postmenopausal women (PW) (primary outcome). The secondary outcome was to compare the changes in muscular strength and physical performance (4-meter walking test [4-M], timed-up-and-go [TUG] test, and sit-to-stand [STS] test) between the LLRT and HLRT. The PW were randomized into 2 groups: LLRT (n = 14; loads necessary to perform 30-35 repetitions) and HLRT (n = 15; loads necessary to perform 8-12 repetitions). The greater magnitude of increase in LFFM (p = 0.033) was observed in LLRT when compared with HLRT. Moreover, there was a trend for a greater increase in TFFM in LLRT over HLRT (p = 0.070). However, there were similar improvements in TNF-α and muscular strength (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the RT schemes on IL-6, IL-1ra, and eHSP70 levels. Thus, although performing LLRT until, or close to, voluntary concentric failure seems to provide a greater stimulus for an increase in muscle mass than HLRT, it does not seem to affect the responses in circulating inflammatory biomarkers, muscular strength, and physical performance in PW.

Effect of whole-body resistance training at different load intensities on circulating inflammatory biomarkers, body fat, muscular strength, and physical performance in postmenopausal women.

The primary purpose of this study was to identify the impact of whole-body resistance training (RT) at different load intensities on adipokines, adhesion molecules, and extracellular heat shock proteins in postmenopausal women. As secondary purpose, we analyzed the impact of RT at different load intensities on body fat, muscular strength, and physical performance. Forty participants were randomized into lower-load intensity RT (LIRT, n = 20, 30-35 repetition maximum in the first set of each exercise) or higher-load intensity RT (HIRT, n = 20, 8-12 repetition maximum in the first set of each exercise). Adipokines (adiponectin and leptin), adhesion molecules (MCP-1 and ICAM-1), extracellular heat shock proteins (HO-1 and eHSP60), body fat, muscular strength (1RM), and physical performance [400-meter walking test (400-M) and 6-minute walking test (6MWT)] were analyzed at baseline and after 12-weeks RT. There was a significant time-by-group interaction for eHSP60 (P = 0.049) and 400-M (P = 0.003), indicating superiority of HIRT (d = 0.47 and 0.55). However, both groups similarly improved adiponectin, ICAM-1, HO-1, body fat, 1RM, and 6MWT (P < 0.05). Our study suggests that load intensity does not seem to determine the RT effect on several obesity-related pro-inflammatory and chemotactic compounds, body fat, 1RM, and 6MWT in postmenopausal women, although a greater improvement has been revealed for eHSP60 and 400-M in HIRT. Novelty: Higher-load intensity resistance training improves eHSP60 and 400-M in postmenopausal women. Resistance training improves the inflammatory profile, body fat, muscle strength, and 6MWT, regardless of load intensity.

Effect of high-intensity interval training on body composition and inflammatory markers in obese postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study tested whether high-intensity interval training is a time-efficient strategy for improving visceral adiposity tissue and inflammatory markers in obese postmenopausal women when compared with combined training. Moreover, we tested whether change in visceral adiposity tissue is associated with alterations in these inflammatory markers. METHODS: Postmenopausal women were randomized in two groups: combined training (n = 13) and high-intensity interval training (n = 13). The combined training group performed 60 minutes of walking at 70% of maximum heart rate and resistance exercises at 70% of one repetition maximum. The high-intensity interval training group performed 28 minutes of high-intensity exercises (> 80% of maximum heart rate). Both groups trained three times a week for 12 weeks. Body composition and inflammatory markers were analyzed with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scanning and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. RESULTS: All groups reduced body fat percentage (P = 0.026), visceral adiposity tissue (P = 0.027), leptin (P = 0.043), and increased interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist (P < 0.01). The high-intensity interval training group reduced visceral adiposity tissue (P = 0.021) in a greater magnitude and increased interleukin-6 (P = 0.037) level when compared with the combined training group. Moreover, the visceral adiposity tissue changes explained the changes in IL-6 (56%; P = 0.002) only in the high-intensity interval training group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that high-intensity interval training is a time-efficient strategy for improving visceral adiposity tissue and inflammatory markers in obese postmenopausal women. Moreover, we observed that serum cytokine changes, at least in part, depend on visceral adiposity tissue alterations.

The 60- and 70-kDa heat-shock proteins and their correlation with cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.

We investigated the association between circulating levels of 60 and 70 kDa heat-shock proteins (HSP60 and 70) and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women with or without metabolic syndrome (MetS). This cross-sectional study included 311 Brazilian women (age ≥45 years with amenorrhea ≥12 months). Women showing three or more of the following diagnostic criteria were diagnosed with MetS: waist circumference (WC) ≥88 cm, blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg, triglycerides ≥150 mg/dl, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) <50 mg/dl, and glucose ≥100 mg/dl. Clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical parameters were collected. HSP60, HSP70, antibodies to HSP60 and HSP70, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured in serum. Student's t test, Kruskal-Wallis test, chi-square test, and Pearson correlation were used for statistical analysis. Of the 311 women, 30.9 % (96/311) were diagnosed with MetS. These women were, on average, obese with abdominal fat deposition and had lower HDL values as well as higher triglycerides and glucose levels. Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistant (HOMA-IR) test values in these women were compatible with insulin resistance (P < 0.05). CRP and HSP60 concentrations were higher in women with MetS than in women without MetS (P < 0.05). HSP60, anti-HSP70, and CRP concentrations increased with the number of features indicative of MetS (P < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between anti-HSP70 and WC, blood pressure and HOMA-IR, and between CRP and WC, blood pressure, glucose, HOMA-IR, and triglycerides (P < 0.05). In postmenopausal women, serum HSP60 and anti-HSP70 concentrations increased with accumulating features of the metabolic syndrome. These results suggest a greater immune activation that is associated with cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.

Different tools for estimating cardiovascular risk in Brazilian postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To compare estimation of cardiovascular risk using the Framinghan Risk Score (FRS) and the presence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in postmenopausal women to prevent primary cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 497 Brazilian women (aged ≥45 years and amenorrhea >12 months). Cardiovascular risk was calculated using the FRS that includes age, total cholesterol, HDL, systolic blood pressure and smoking status. Women showing three or more of the following criteria were diagnosed with MetS: waist circumference (WC) >88 cm, blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg, triglycerides ≥150 mg/dl, HDL < 50 mg/dl and glucose ≥100 mg/dl. For statistical analysis, the Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and logistic regression (odds ratio-OR) were used. RESULTS: The mean age was 55.3 ± 7.0 years and time since menopause 7.2 ± 5.9 years. Based on FRS, 72.4% of women were classified as low-risk, 16.5% moderate risk and 11.1% a high-risk. MetS was identified in 40% of the women, and 46.2% were considered of moderate risk for CVD, while 84.9% of those without MetS were classified as low-risk (p < 0.001). The risk for CVD increased significantly with age at menopause (OR1.10; 95% CI, 1.04-1.17), time since menopause (OR1.13; 95% CI, 1.08-1.18), elevated triglycerides (OR1.03; 95% CI, 1.0-1.10) and presence of MetS (OR1.72; 95% CI 1.48-1.84). CONCLUSIONS: By using only FRS to estimate cardiovascular risk, a substantial number of postmenopausal women showing evidence of MetS were not identified, even though women with MetS are at higher risk of CVD.

Muscle mass gain after resistance training is inversely correlated with trunk adiposity gain in postmenopausal women.

The aim of this study was to evaluate alterations in trunk adiposity (TA) over 9 months of resistance training (RT) and associate these changes with the hypertrophy of muscle mass (MM) in postmenopausal women (PW). The investigation used a sample that consisted of 22 PW (44-69 years old). The group was subjected to RT (60-80% of 1 repetition maximum) for the total body 3 d · wk(-1). Body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) and plasma levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), follicle-stimulating hormone, E2 (Immulite system), and interleukin-6 (IL-6; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were assessed at the beginning and end of the experiment. After RT, only women who acquired up to 5% TA gained MM, whereas women who acquired >5% TA exhibited increased IL-6 and no MM gain (p < 0.05). The ΔMM was negatively associated with time of menopause (r = -0.45, p < 0.05) and positively associated with baseline IGF-1 (r = 0.47, p < 0.05). Only ΔLE (leg extension) was negatively associated with baseline IL-6 (p < 0.05). Trunk adiposity growth (ΔTF, kilograms) was positively correlated with changes in IL-6 (r = 0.68, p < 0.05). The MM gain was negatively correlated with ΔTF (r = -0.63, p < 0.05) and changes in IL-6 (r = -0.73, p < 0.05). After adjusting all of the confounding variables, only baseline IGF-1 (positively) and changes in IL-6 (negatively) influenced MM, and only the increase in TA influenced IL-6. Our study suggests that increased levels of TA during RT increase IL-6 concentrations, which is a significant negative predictor of MM gain in PW.

Low appendicular muscle mass is correlated with femoral neck bone mineral density loss in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: After menopause, rapid bone mass loss occurs in response to hypoestrogenism. Several studies suggest that muscle mass and bone mineral density (BMD) are positively associated in postmenopausal women. Therefore, it may be assumed that postmenopausal low appendicular muscle mass (aMM) can increase BMD loss in a short period of time. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess relationship of aMM with femoral neck BMD in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Prospective, controlled clinical Trial including 64 women aged 45-70 years, who had not had their last menstruation for at least one year. Subjects were divided into two groups: low aMM (n = 32), and normal aMM (n-32). Femoral neck BMD and muscle mass were measured by DXA at baseline and after twelve months. Pairwise and independent t tests were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Baseline weight, BMI and muscle mass (total and appendicular) significantly differ between groups (p < 0.05). After twelve months, femoral neck BMD was significantly lower in the group with low aMM, whereas no significant difference was observed in the group with normal aMM (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In postmenopausal women, low appendicular muscle mass is associated negatively with femoral neck BMD in a short period of time.