The comparison of estrogen metabolites between active and inactive postmenopausal women

Abstract

Introduction: Regular physical activity may alter estrogen metabolism. The aim of the present study was to compare estrogen metabolites between active and inactive postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: 75 postmenopausal women were asked to fill in the Beck questionnaire. Based on the questionnaire scales, they were divided into two groups: active and inactive. Blood samples were taken in fasting state from all subjects and serum concentration of 2-hydroxyestron and 16-hydroxyestron metabolites and their ratios measured. Independent t-test was used for data analysis. Results: The results showed that 2-hydroxyestron metabolite level and 2-hydroxyestron/16-hydroxyestron ratio were significantly higher among active postmenopausal women than inactive postmenopausal women but 16-hydroxyestron metabolite level was significantly lower among active postmenopausal women than inactive postmenopausal women. Conclusion: It is concluded that long-term physical activity can reduce breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women through influencing the estrogen metabolites.

Keywords

• Physical Activities
• Estrogen
• Postmenopause
• Cancer