TOWARDS BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF AGE CHANGES DURING MENOPAUSE IN WOMEN IMPLEMENTING SYSTEMS BIOLOGY APPROACH

Abstract

Background: The menopause is defined in medical terms as the cessation of menstrual periods for 1
year secondary to estrogen deficiency. Decreasing serum estrogen levels manifest in vasomotor and
urogenital symptoms during the climacteric stage of the menopausal transition. It is for the relief of
these symptoms that the use of menopausal hormone therapy (HRT) is not disputed. Objectives: This
thesis aims at determining potential changes in proteome profiles of women under the influence of
hormone. We hypothesized that urine can be used as a source of proteins since it is non invasive and
easy to obtain. Moreover, it provides a real time monitoring of protein changes. The fact that urine
does not only contain makers that reflects kidneys’ function but also other organs of the human body
would also allow implementing a systems based approach for the interpretation of the study outcomes.
Subjects and methods: In this work urinary proteomics were analyzed in urinary samples taken from
125 menopausal women under HRT. Comparing the results with those taken from 125 matched
women not under HRT. Results: The data obtained showed significant differences between both
groups. We hope these data,- after clinical validation- will help in answering the unanswered questions
about use of postmenopausal HRT. Conclusion: proteomics may provide genetic profiles detailing
age related disease predisposition and the anticipated effect of HRT.so that physicians may be
confident about their recommendation and patients assured about their decision.
Keywords: menopause, biology