Body composition and androgen pattern in the early period of postmenopause

Body composition is related to age, genetic factors, and hormonal patterns throughout life. Peak bone mass seems to be an important protective factor against osteoporosis, although diet and life-style (smoking, physical activity) are able to influence bone mass. While it is well known that estrogens exert a protective action against bone loss in postmenopausal women, the role of androgens is still not clear. Twenty-five women in the early postmenopausal period (age: 52.8 +/- 5.1 years) were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to assess the relationship between body composition (fat mass and lean mass), bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD) and androgen pattern. Waist/hip ratio was used to divide the study population in three groups: gynecoid (gluteo-femural fat distribution), android (abdominal fat distribution), and intermediate. In all subjects an inverse significant correlation between estradiol and fat mass was found. In the abdominal fat distribution group significant correlations between estradiol and weight (inversely correlated), androstenedione and BMD, lean mass and BMC were found. The data show the important role of androgens (androstenedione, particularly) and lean body mass on the BMD and BMC, respectively, in the early period of postmenopause.