A systematic review and meta-analysis examining whether changing ovarian sex steroid hormone levels influence cerebrovascular function

Bethany Skinner, Rebecca Davies, Samuel Weaver, Nigel Cable, Sam Lucas, Becky Lucas

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Abstract

Sex differences in cerebrovascular disease rates indicate a possible role for ovarian sex steroid hormones in cerebrovascular function. To synthesise and identify knowledge gaps, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess how ovarian sex steroid hormone changes across the lifespan affect cerebrovascular function in women. Three databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE and Web of Science) were systematically searched for studies on adult cerebrovascular function and ovarian sex steroid hormones. Forty-five studies met pre-defined inclusion criteria. Studied hormone groups included hormone replacement therapy (HRT; n=17), pregnancy (n=12), menstrual cycle (n=7), menopause (n=5), oral contraception (n=2), and ovarian hyperstimulation (n=2). Outcome measures included pulsatility index (PI), cerebral blood flow/velocity (CBF), resistance index (RI), cerebral autoregulation, and cerebrovascular reactivity. Meta-analysis was carried out on HRT studies. PI significantly decreased (-0.05, 95% CI: [-0.10, -0.01]; p = 0.01) in post-menopausal women undergoing HRT compared to post-menopausal women who were not, though there was considerable heterogeneity (I2 = 96.8%). No effects of HRT were seen in CBF (p = 0.24) or RI (p = 0.77). This review indicates that HRT improves PI in post-menopausal women. However, there remains insufficient evidence to determine how changing ovarian sex steroid hormone levels affects cerebrovascular function in women during other hormonal phases (e.g. pregnancy, oral contraception).
Original languageEnglish
Article number687591
JournalFrontiers in Physiology
Volume12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 Jun 2021

Bibliographical note

Copyright © 2021 Skinner, Davies, Weaver, Cable, Lucas and Lucas.

Keywords

  • cerebral blood flow
  • cerebrovascular function
  • meta-analysis
  • ovarian sex steroid hormones
  • systematic review

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Physiology (medical)

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