Bioenergetic Effects of Aging and Menopause (BEAM) — BEAM  

Aging Clinical Trial

Official title: Bioenergetic and Metabolic Consequences of the Loss of Ovarian Function in Women - 2018

Status Recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

The menopause transition is associated with increased risk for weight gain and a shift toward storing fat in the belly region, which may increase risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The study will determine whether the stress hormone cortisol contributes to this shift.

Clinical Trial Description

The menopause transition is associated with increased risk for weight gain and a shift toward storing fat in the belly region, which may increase risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The stress hormone cortisol is known to promote the accumulation of belly fat, and there is evidence that low estrogen is associated with higher cortisol levels. The first aim of the study is to determine whether low estrogen levels in premenopausal and early postmenopausal women increase cortisol levels in the blood and in fat tissue. When estrogen level decreases at the time of menopause, there is an increase in follicle-stimulating hormone, or FSH. Recent evidence in mice suggests that blocking FSH prevents the increase in belly fat. The second aim of the study is to determine whether decreasing the high FSH level in postmenopausal women causes a decrease in belly fat and changes other factors that are typically thought to be related to estrogen rather than FSH. Because estrogen and FSH levels fluctuate in premenopausal and early postmenopausal women, the investigators will use an approach that controls estrogen and FSH levels to address the aims. The investigators will use a drug that is typically used to treat endometriosis or uterine fibroids to reduce estrogen and FSH levels and an estrogen patch to increase estrogen in some women. The study will generate new knowledge on how menopause affects fat gain and disease risk. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Aging
• Menopause
• Obesity, Abdominal
• Weight Gain

• NCT number: NCT04043520
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: University of Colorado, Denver
• Contact: Haley Thomas
• Phone: 303-724-1407
• Email: haley.thomas@cuanschutz.edu
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: Phase 4
• Start date: September 24, 2019
• Completion date: August 31, 2024