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Exploring Glycocalyx shedding markers: A comparative analysis of plasma markers among premenopausal and
Mounica Ayyalasomayajula1, David N Proctor1,2, Janhavi J Damani3
1Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.
Insights
Menopause impacts endothelial glycocalyx (eGC) integrity, a key marker of vascular health. Late postmenopausal women showed higher HS levels, while premenopausal women had higher SDC-1, suggesting changes across reproductive stages.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Endocrinology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- The endothelial glycocalyx (eGC) is crucial for vascular health, but its integrity declines with aging and cardiovascular disease.
- Estrogen decline during menopause is linked to eGC degradation and endothelial dysfunction.
- Syndecan-1 (SDC-1) and heparan sulfate (HS) are key eGC components and plasma biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in eGC integrity markers (SDC-1 and HS) across different menopausal stages.
- To assess the relationship between eGC biomarkers and vascular function indicators like flow-mediated dilation.
Main Methods:
- Plasma samples from premenopausal (n=11), early-postmenopausal (n=12), and late-postmenopausal (n=13) women were analyzed.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify plasma SDC-1 and HS concentrations.
- Flow-mediated dilation was assessed to evaluate vascular function.
Main Results:
- Late postmenopausal women exhibited significantly higher plasma HS concentrations compared to early postmenopausal and premenopausal groups (p=0.003).
- Plasma SDC-1 levels were significantly higher in premenopausal women compared to postmenopausal groups (p=0.036).
- No significant correlations were found between SDC-1, HS levels, and flow-mediated dilation.
Conclusions:
- Endothelial glycocalyx integrity markers differ across menopausal stages in women.
- These findings highlight potential alterations in vascular health related to reproductive transitions.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and develop interventions for preserving vascular health in aging females.
Abstract:
The endothelial glycocalyx (eGC) is a protein-rich, hairlike structure covering the luminal surface of endothelial cells, vital for vascular health. Aging and cardiovascular disease (CVD) can compromise eGC integrity, potentially preceding conventional indicators of vascular dysfunction such as reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilation and increased arterial stiffness. SDC-1 and HS are key glycosaminoglycans and validated plasma biomarkers reflecting glycocalyx integrity. During menopause the decline in estrogen, a vascular-protective hormone, has been linked to increased glycocalyx degradation and decreased nitric oxide (NO) synthesis contributing to endothelial dysfunction. This study examined glycocalyx degradation in premenopausal females versus postmenopausal females (early and late stages). Resting plasma samples from premenopausal (n = 11), early-postmenopausal (n = 12) and late-postmenopausal women (n = 13) were analyzed via ELISA for SDC-1 and HS. Late postmenopausal females had significantly higher mean plasma HS concentrations compared to early postmenopausal and premenopausal groups (4049.9 ± 1595.4 vs. 3919.0 ± 999.2, 2986.4 ± 1493.7 ng/mL, p = 0.003). Conversely, SDC-1 levels were higher in premenopausal women (p = 0.036). No correlations were observed between these biomarkers and flow-mediated dilation (all, p > 0.05). Overall, results suggest eGC integrity varies across reproductive stages, emphasizing the need for further research into mechanisms and interventions to preserve vascular health in aging females.
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