Dorota Raczkiewicz

Cognitive functions, lipid profile, and Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism in postmenopausal women.

The objective of the study was investigation of the relationship between cognitive functions and lipid profile, BMI and change of body weight in postmenopausal women carriers of Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms (APOE). A group of 170 women was recruited to the study. The inclusion criteria were: minimum of two years after the last menstruation, FSH concentration 30 U/ml and no signs of dementia on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). A computerized battery of Central Nervous System Vital Signs (CNS VS) was used for diagnostic cognitive functions. APOE genotype was performed by multiplex PCR. In blood plasma were determined: triglycerides, total cholesterol and its fractions: HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way analysis of variance in STATISTICA software. In the postmenopausal women examined, the carrier state of APOE gene polymorphism was associated with the level of triglycerides, and results concerning three cognitive functions: executive functions, psychomotor speed, and cognitive flexibility. Loss of body weight in postmenopausal women was related with lower results in neurocognitive index and the majority of cognitive functions. The results concerning cognitive functions in postmenopausal women in the study were not significantly related with lipid profile. Significant differences were observed according to APOE gene polymorphism in correlations between LDL/HDL and CHOL/HDL ratios, and results in the processing speed and reaction time, as well as between the BMI and results in processing speed in the postmenopausal women examined.

Estrogen receptor alpha polymorphisms, estradiol level, and occurrence of atherosclerosis risk factors in healthy postmenopausal women.

Background The objective of the study was to analyze the relationship between interaction of polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor alpha gene (Erα) and estradiol (E2), and the occurrence of selected atherosclerosis risk factors in postmenopausal women without the diagnosis of a cardiovascular disease. Material/Methods The study covered 210 women, a minimum of 2 years after menopause, with FSH >30 mlU/ml, aged 50–60 years, with no chronic diseases diagnosed. In the women examined, the levels of estradiol, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides were determined, as well as height, waist circumference (W), hip circumference (R), and arterial hypertension. The BMI and W/H ratio were calculated. Genotyping of the ER-α polymorphism was performed using a polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzymes (PCR-RFLP). The alleles of the XbaI polymorphism were defined as A and G: heterozygote AG, wild type GG and homozygote AA. The alleles of PvuII polymorphism were defined as T and C: heterozygote TC, homozygote TT, and wild type CC. Results The concentration of endogenous estradiol and ERα XbaI and PuvII polymorphisms as independent parameters did not significantly affect the BMI, waist circumference, W/H ratio, levels of CHOL, HDL, LDL, TG, or LDL/HDL, nor the systole and diastole in the postmenopausal women in the study. Conclusions The presented study suggests that ERα XbaI AA polymorphism may intensify the beneficial effect of estradiol on the distribution of fatty tissue after menopause; ERα XbaI GG and PuvII TC genotypes may intensify the beneficial effect of estradiol on HDL level; ERα PuvII TT genotype unfavorably modifies the relation between concentration of estradiol and systolic pressure after menopause.

State of Health and Quality of Life of Women at Advanced Age

Background Evaluation of the state of health, quality of life, and the relationship between the level of the quality of life and health status in a group of women at an advanced age (90 years of age and older) in Poland. Material/Methods The study was conducted in 2014 in an all-Polish sample of 870 women aged 90 years and older. The research instruments were: the authors’ questionnaire and several standardized tests: Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (Katz ADL), Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF. The results of the study were statistically analyzed using significant t-test for mean and regression analysis. Results The majority of women at an advanced age suffered from chronic pain (76%) and major geriatric problems such as hypoacusis (81%), visual disturbances (69%) and urinary incontinence (60%); the minority of women at an advanced age suffered from falls and fainting (39%), stool incontinence (17%), severe functional impairment (24%), and cognitive impairment (10%). On a scale of 1 to 5, women at an advanced age assessed positively for overall quality of life (mean 3.3), social relationships (3.5), and environment (3.2), but negatively for general health, physical health, and psychological health (2.7, 2.7, and 2.8, respectively). The presence of chronic pain and geriatric problems, including urinary and stool incontinences, falls and faint ing, visual disturbances and hypoacusis, significantly decreased overall quality of life; general health, physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment. Overall quality of life, general health, physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment was correlated with functional and cognitive impairments. Conclusions Quality of life of women at an advanced age decreased if chronic pain, major geriatric problems, or functional or cognitive impairments occurred.

Suppressed Programmed Death 1 Expression on CD4

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease mediated by T cell immunity. Programmed death 1 (PD-1), a coinhibitory receptor, plays an important role in immune regulation and maintaining peripheral tolerance. The aim of the study was to compare the expression of PD-1 on the peripheral T cells between psoriatic patients and healthy controls. The study included 75 psoriatic patients and 52 healthy volunteers. The percentages and absolute numbers of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD4+PD-1+, and CD8+PD-1+ T cells were analyzed using flow cytometry. The absolute numbers and percentages of CD4+PD-1+ and CD8+PD-1+ T cells were significantly decreased in the psoriatic patients in comparison with the control group. No significant correlations were found between the absolute numbers and percentages of CD4+PD-1+ or CD8+PD-1+ T cells and clinical characteristics of psoriasis. Decreased PD-1 expression on the T cells may be responsible for impaired negative regulation of immune response in psoriasis pathogenesis.

Cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome and health behaviours of postmenopausal women working in agriculture

Introduction The objective of the study was to examine the impact of occurrence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and metabolic syndrome (MS) diagnoses on the frequency of health behaviours in postmenopausal women working in agriculture. Material and methods Eight hundred and ten postmenopausal women living in rural areas and working in agriculture, aged 46–70 and at least 12 months from the last menstrual period, were examined. Analysis of variance with multiple comparison tests was used to compare the Inventory of Health Behaviours among the women with and without CVDs and MS. Results The frequency of some health behaviours, mainly health practices, is higher in postmenopausal women working in agriculture with CVDs or MS than in those without CVDs or MS (p = 0.045). Women with such disorders more often limit their physical effort (p = 0.029), try to be less overworked (p < 0.001) and to take more rest (p = 0.027), more often limit consumption of animal fat and sugar (p = 0.024), more regularly visit physicians (p = 0.003) and more often take seriously recommendations concerning their health. However, an insufficient frequency of health behaviours was observed among both the healthy women and those with metabolic disorders and CVDs. One third of all the examined women had a high frequency of health behaviours, one third had an average frequency and one third had a low frequency; hence actions should be taken to improve the situation. Conclusions Postmenopausal women working in agriculture more often perform beneficial health behaviours if they have MS and CVDs diagnosed in comparison to healthy women.

Cognitive Functions, Concentration of Endogenous Estradiol, Estrogen Receptor α (ERα) Polymorphism in Postmenopausal Women

Background The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between cognitive functions and the level of endogenous estradiol in postmenopausal women, according to which estrogen receptor α (ERα) polymorphism the woman carries. Material/Methods The study group consisted of 210 women. The inclusion criteria were: minimum 2 years after the last menstruation, FSH concentration 30 U/ml, and no dementia signs on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). A computerized battery of Central Nervous System Vital Signs (CNS VS) test was used to diagnose cognitive functions. Genotyping of the ERα polymorphism was performed using a polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzymes (PCR-RFLP). Blood plasma was tested for FSH and estradiol (E2). Statistical analysis was performed using STATISTICA software. Results A relationship was confirmed between standard scores for 3 cognitive functions: general memory, verbal memory, and processing speed, and the XbaI polymorphism in the women in the study. In the group of women with genotype TT PvuII, significant positive relationships were observed between the concentration of E2 and the standard scores of 3 cognitive functions: general memory, verbal memory, and processing speed. In the group of women with genotype TC PvuII, significant negative correlations were found between the concentration of E2 and the standard scores of 4 cognitive functions: NCI, general memory, verbal memory, and processing speed. Conclusions ERα polymorphism exerted an effect on the interaction between the concentration of estradiol and the results for cognitive functions. The concentration of estradiol did not depend on Xba1 and PvuII polymorphisms. The results for cognitive functions depended on which Xba1 polymorphism the woman carried.

Cognitive Function, APOE Gene Polymorphisms, and Thyroid Status Associations in Postmenopausal Women in Poland

Background: The objective of the study was to analyze a potential association between cognitive functions and thyroid status in postmenopausal women with different polymorphisms of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE). Methods: The examined population included 402 postmenopausal women from south-eastern Poland. The evaluation of cognitive functions was made with the use of the diagnostic Central Nervous System-Vital Signs equipment (Polish version). Multiplex polymerase chain reactions were performed to assess APOE polymorphisms. The thyroid hormone tests were assessed by an accredited laboratory. Results and Conclusion: Lower results of cognitive functions were associated with the presence of the ε4 APOE allele in postmenopausal women. The ε4 APOE polymorphism was associated with a higher concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone and lower concentrations of free triiodothyronine and total triiodothyronine.

Interaction between C-reactive protein and cognitive functions according to APOE gene polymorphism in post-menopausal women

Introduction A potential factor increasing the risk of the development of cognitive impairment with age is apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 carrier status. A subsequent factor which may increase the risk of development of cognitive impairment at an older age is the concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP). The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between cognitive functions and the concentration of CRP in post-menopausal women who were carriers of particular apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) polymorphisms. Material and methods A group of 402 women was recruited to the study. The inclusion criteria were: minimum two years after the last menstruation, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration 30 U/ml, no dementi signs on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The computerized battery of the Central Nervous System Vital Signs (CNS VS) test was used to diagnose cognitive functions. APOE genotyping was performed by multiplex PCR. The blood plasma CRP levels were determined. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica software. Results The level of neurocognitive index (NCI) and cognitive functions in post-menopausal women depends on apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism (p < 0.001) and the concentration of CRP (p < 0.05). A negative correlation was found between CRP and NCI (p = 0.018), and the reaction time (p = 0.008) of women with APOE ε2/ε3. A positive correlation was observed between CRP and visual memory (p = 0.025) in women with APOE ε3/ε3, and verbal memory (p = 0.023) in women with APOE ε3/ε4 or ε4/ε4. Conclusions Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism may modify the relationship between CRP concentration and cognitive functions in post-menopausal women.

Intensification of menopausal symptoms among female inhabitants of East European countries

The objective of the study was analysis of the occurrence and intensity of menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women from Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. The study was conducted during the period 2014-2015 among postmenopausal women living in the areas of Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Czech Republic and Slovakia. The degree of menopausal complaints was assessed using the Kupperman Menopausal Index and Greene Climacteric Scale. The respondents were additionally asked about age, educational level, place of residence, marital status and age at last menstrual period. Into the study were enrolled women aged 50-65, minimum 2 years after the last menstrual period, who had a generally good state of health and did not use hormone replacement therapy. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. The intensity of all menopausal symptoms measured by the Kupperman Menopausal Index and Greene Climacteric Scale was similar in Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia. In these countries, severe, moderate and mild menopausal symptoms measured by Kupperman Menopausal Index occurred with a similar frequency. Similar results were also obtained in the subscales of psychological, somatic and vasomotor symptoms according to the Greene Climacteric Scale. Nearly a half of the women from Belarus did not report symptoms measured by Kupperman Menopausal Index. They obtained significantly lower menopausal complaints in the subscales of psychological and somatic symptoms according to the Greene Climacteric Scale, compared to the inhabitants of the remaining countries. The majority of women from the Ukraine had mild menopausal symptoms as measured by the Kupperman Menopausal Index. They had significantly more severe complaints in the subscales of psychological, somatic and vasomotor symptoms according to the Greene Climacteric Scale, compared to the inhabitants of the remaining countries in the study. The intensity of menopausal symptoms in women from Ukraine and Belarus was related with educational level, place of residence, and marital status, whereas in women from Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia, only with marital status.

Are cognitive functions in post-menopausal women related with the contents of macro- and micro-components in the diet?

UNLABELLED The objective of the study was an evaluation of the relationship between the level of cognitive functions and contents of micro- and macro-components in the diet of postmenopausal women. A group of 402 women was recruited to the study. The inclusion criteria were: minimum two years after the last menstruation, FSH concentration 30 U/ml and no dementia signs on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). A computerized battery of the Central Nervous System Vital Signs (CNS VS) test was used to diagnose cognitive functions. The dietary questionnaire was evaluated based on observation of a seven-day diet. The data obtained were introduced into the database and analyzed using computer software DIETICIAN. Statistical analysis was performed using statistical software STATISTICA. RESULTS The results of the study concerning diet unequivocally indicate a very poor quality of diet in the group of postmenopausal women examined. The daily diet had a too high energetic value. The women consumed an excessive amount of total fat, including definitely too much monounsaturated fatty acids, and insufficient polyunsaturated fatty acids. The dietary intake of sodium and phosphorus was too high, whereas deficiencies were observed in the consumption of iron, copper, potassium, calcium, magnesium and zinc. No significant correlations were found in the analysis of cognitive functions according to the energetic value of daily diet and contents of macro- and micro-components. The results concerning verbal memory significantly depended on the daily intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Women who consumed polyunsaturated fatty acids below the daily normal or normal level obtained significantly higher results in verbal memory.