The role of orexin A in pathophysiological mechanisms of sleep disorder in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Aim. To conduct a comparative analysis of serum orexin A levels in women of different age periods with and without sleep disorder and vasomotor symptoms. To evaluate the dynamics of orexin A levels under menopausal hormone therapy. Materials and methods. The study included 50 postmenopausal women and 30 women of reproductive age with a regular menstrual cycle. Using block randomization, patients are divided into 3 groups: group 1 (main group), n=25, -STRAW+ 10 (+1b and +1c), patients with sleep disorder and vasomotor symptoms; group 2 (comparison group), n=25, STRAW+ 10 (+1b and +1c), patients with vasomotor symptoms without sleep disorder; group 3 (control group), n=30, STRAW+ 10 (-4), women of reproductive age without sleep disorder. Group 1 patients were given menopausal hormone therapy. A comparative analysis was carried out using the questionnaire for assessing menopausal symptoms severity by the Greene Scale (the Greene Climacteric Scale) and Rating Scale for subjective sleep characteristics. After 12 weeks of treatment, a control examination was performed. Results. In group 1 women, the serum orexin A levels were significantly higher compared to the women without the symptoms. The link between the orexin A levels and menopause syndrome severity was established. A significant decrease in the menopausal symptoms severity after 12 weeks of menopausal hormone therapy was shown. It was accompanied by a 1,3-fold decrease in orexin A levels. Conclusions. The obtained data indicate the possible role of orexin A and the orexin neuropeptide system in the pathogenesis of sleep disorder and vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women.