Menopausal stage differences in endothelial resistance to ischemia‐reperfusion injury

Background

In postmenopausal women, reduced ovarian function precedes endothelial dysfunction and attenuated endothelial resistance to ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. We hypothesized that IR injury would lower endothelial function, with premenopausal women demonstrating the greatest protection from injury, followed by early, then late postmenopausal women.

Methods

Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was assessed at baseline and following IR injury in premenopausal (n = 11), early (n = 11; 4 ± 1.6 years since menopause), and late (n = 11; 15 ± 5.5 years since menopause) postmenopausal women.

Results

There were significant group differences in baseline FMD (p = 0.007); post hoc analysis revealed a similar resting FMD between premenopausal (7.8% ± 2.1%) and early postmenopausal (7.1% ± 2.7%), but significantly lower FMD in late postmenopausal women (4.5% ± 2.3%). Results showed an overall decline in FMD after IR injury (p < 0.001), and a significant condition*time interaction (p = 0.048), with early postmenopausal women demonstrating the most significant decline in FMD following IR.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that endothelial resistance to IR injury is attenuated in healthy early postmenopausal women.