Serum lipid profile in prepubertal, reproductive and postmenopausal women

The present study was undertaken to know serum lipid profile changes in prepubertal, reproductive and postmenopausal periods in women. The fasting blood samples were collected from 120 healthy volunteers from Bangalore and total cholesterol, triglyceride, VLDL, HDL were measured by enzymatic method. LDL was calculated using Friedewald’s equation, HDL/LDL, HDL/cholesterol ratios were obtained. The results showed statistically significant increase in total cholesterol (p<0.0001) with age and also statistically significant increase in TG (p<0.0001), VLDL (p<0.0001) and LDL (p<0.0001) were observed between reproductive and postmenopausal women. HDL showed statistically significant decrease in postmenopausal women compared to reproductive age group. HDL/LDL and HDL/cholesterol ratios decreased with increasing age from reproductive to postmenopausal period (p<0.0001).Thus it can be concluded that serum lipid profile changes with possibly mediated by changing hormonal profile and sex steroids, especially estrogen which has role in lipid metabolism, thereby indirectly on coronary artery disease.