CHANGES OF PLASMA CALCITONIN-GENE-RELATED PEPTIDE LEVELS IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate whether the secretion of a c ardiovascular hormone, calcitonin gene-related peptide, is modified in climateric women according to cardiovascular adaptive responses. STUD Y DESIGN: Plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide levels were measured in climateric women in a basal condition (n = 15), in response to an u pright position (n = 8), and during hot flushes (n = 12). The effect o f hormonal replacement therapy on plasma calcitonin gene-related pepti de was also studied (n = 9). Plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide le vels were measured by a specific radioimmunoassay after an acidic extr action. RESULTS: Plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide levels in post menopausal women were significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.01). After the women assumed an upright posture, a lack of plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide increase was observed in control fert ile women, who showed the typical significant hormonal increase (p < 0 .01). In all patients the occurrence of hot flushes was associated wit h a significant and rapid increase of plasma calcitonin gene-related p eptide levels. After 3 months of hormonal replacement therapy basal pl asma calcitonin gene-related peptide levels returned to the range of h ealthy fertile women. CONCLUSIONS: The current data show that the secr etion of plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide is lower in postmenopa usal women and its response to postural stimulus is impaired. Vasomoto r changes are associated with an increase of plasma levels of this car diovascular hormone. An effect of hormonal replacement therapy on calc itonin gene-related peptide secretion has been shown.