Sunday, April 3, 2005
Rosewood (Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza)
Session: 1195, Prevention: Beliefs and Interventions, 9:30 AM

A Study Examining the Effects of Active Versus Sedentary Lifestyle on Body IronStores and Oxidative Stress in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women for the Prevention of CVD

Rosemarie Rombough, RN, BscN, MSc, Administrative Manager, School of Nursing, Queen's University, 92 Barrie Street, Kingston, ON K7L 4L9, Canada, Ena Howse, RN, PhD, Professor, School of Nursing, Queen’s University, 92 Barrie Street, Kingston, ON K7L 4L9, Canada, Emma Bartfay, PhD, Assistant Professor, Ministry of Health Career Scientist, Department of Psyc, University of Windsor, 273-2 Chrysler Hall South, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada, and Wally Bartfay, RN, PhD, Professor, Faculty of Nursing, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada.

Purpose:The incidence of heart disease is significantly higher in postmenopausal women as opposed to premenopausal women and may be related to body iron stores, which may catalyze the production of oxygen free radicals. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of menstrual status and exercise on iron stores and oxidative stress in pre- and postmenopausal women.

Method:Twenty women, ten premenopausal (n=5 active, n=5 sedentary) and ten postmenopausal women (n=5 active, n=5 sedentary) with no known history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) were recruited to determine body iron stores as quantified by serum ferritin and oxidative stress as measured by plasma MDA levels.

Results:Although active postmenopausal women had lower body iron stores and oxidative stress they were not found to be significantly different in comparison to premenopausal active women. Conversely, postmenopausal women in comparison to premenopausal women had significantly higher levels of body iron stores and oxidative stress (p<0.01). Furthermore, significantly lower levels of body iron stores and oxidative stress was found in active postmenopausal women compared to sedentary postmenopausal women (p<0.01).

Conclusion:These results suggest that exercise may be beneficial in mobilizing iron stores and decreasing oxidative stress in postmenopausal women. Further investigations are warranted to examine the mechanism for these observed effects.

Acknowledgments:Supported by The Anemia Institute For Research & Education (AIRE), The American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF), National Heart Foundation, and the J.P. Bickell Foundation.

Session #1195 - Prevention: Beliefs and Interventions

The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)