Serum estrogen metabolites and systolic blood pressure among middle-aged and older women and men

Abstract

BackgroundHypertension is more common among men at younger ages and among women after age 60, suggesting a possible link between endogenous estrogens and systolic blood pressure (SBP). We tested whether serum 17Β-estradiol (E 2) or any of its metabolites were associated with SBP among middle-aged and older adults.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional study design, we examined data from a population-based sample of 98 adults living in Cook County, Illinois. Age ranged between 55 and 69 years and body mass index (BMI) ranged between 19.8 and 50.6 kg/m 2. Serum was analyzed for 17Β-E 2 and 14 estrogen metabolites (EMs) using mass spectrometry. SBP was measured using a tonometric device that records a pulse wave at the radial artery. Demographic and health history information were obtained via questionnaires.ResultsUnivariate analysis revealed an inverse relationship between SBP and both natural log (ln) 16α-hydroxyestrone (OHE 1) (r = 0.360, P 0.05) and ln 16-ketoestradiol (ketoE 2) (r = 0.360, P 0.05) among women but not men. No significant correlations were found between SBP and 17Β-E 2 in either sex. In multivariate analysis which adjusted for age, race, ethnicity, BMI, and use of cardiovascular medications, ln 16α-hydroxyestrone (16α-OHE 1) (B = 5.3, s.e. = 2.1, P 0.05) and ln 16-ketoE 2 (B = 4.7, s.e. = 1.9, P 0.05) continued to be negatively associated with SBP among postmenopausal women.ConclusionsThese data suggest that serum 16α-OHE 1 or 16-ketoE 2 may be important for vascular health among postmenopausal women but not among similarly aged men. © 2009 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.