Serum levels of leptin, estrogen and their relationship with adiposity and body weight in postmenopausal nicaraguan women

Abstract

Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation due to the loss of ovarian activity; It is associated with physiological and metabolic changes, with variations in hormonal levels. The increase in metabolically active adipokines such as leptin and the decrease in estrogen levels during the menopausal state are related to the relatively rapid increase in visceral fat and the evolution of metabolic pathologies. The objective of the study is the analysis of serum levels of leptin, estrogen and their relationship with adiposity and body weight in postmenopausal women. A cross-sectional study was designed, where the socio-epidemiological characteristics and anthropometric values ​​were described using descriptive statistics such as absolute frequencies and percentages, and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to verify the normality of the variables of leptin and estrogen levels. ; chi square test to associate all variables, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney to compare averages and Spearman correlation to determine associations. The predominant study population was postmenopausal women, of urban origin, with a majority of university studies, and with an average age of 54 years. Serum Leptin levels showed a median of 44 ng/ml in the Normal Weight group and 38.4 ng/ml in the Obese/Overweight group. Leptin levels had a median of 35.5 ng/ml with a low waist-hip ratio (WHR). Estradiol levels showed a median of 25.3 pg/ml in the Normal Weight group and 24.1 pg/ml in the group with a low waist-hip ratio (WHR). No correlation was found between the levels of Leptin, Estradiol and the numerical value of the body mass index in.