The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the changes induced by the menopause in plasma lipids and total fatty acids.
Methods: 35 post-menopausal and 25 non-postmenopausal women were included in the study. Plasma triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and HDL-C concentrations were detemined enzymatically. Plasma fatty acids were determined by capillary gas chromatography.
Results: Total cholesterol was higher (p < 0.05) in the postmenopausal women (6.18 +/- 0.77 mmol/l vs. 5.21 +/- 0.85 mmol/l). No significant changes were observed, however, in TG, HDL-C or LDL-C. The study of plasma fatty acids showed the post-menopausal women to have raised levels (p < 0.05) of stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1), and decrease of arachidonic acid (C20:4). Also noteworthy was the significant decrease (p < 0.001) of the desaturation index D5 (3.82 +/- 1.75) in the post-menopausal women. The SHBG level was lower (p <0.001) in the post-menopausal women (55.98 +/- 20nmol/l) than in the non-menopausal women (68.36 +/- 30 nmol/l). Multivariate analysis revealed correlation between menopause and SHBG (r = -0.3904, p < 0.05), D5 (r = -0.500, p < 0.001), TC (r = 0.3137, p <0.05), stearic acid (r = 03564, p < 0.05) and oleic acid (r = 0.2954, p < 0.05).
Conclusion: In post-menopausal women, as well as higher total cholesterol, the alterations in plasma fatty acids may constitute an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.