Neurokinin B Administration Induces Hot Flushes in Women
نویسندگان
چکیده
Neurokinin B (NKB) is a hypothalamic neuropeptide binding preferentially to the neurokinin 3 receptor. Expression of the gene encoding NKB is elevated in postmenopausal women. Furthermore, rodent studies suggest that NKB signalling may mediate menopausal hot flushes. However, the effects of NKB administration on hot flushes have not been investigated in humans. To address this, we performed a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, 2-way cross-over study. Ten healthy women were admitted to a temperature and humidity-controlled research unit. Participants received 30 minute intravenous infusions of NKB and vehicle in random order. Symptoms, heart rate, blood pressure, sweating and skin temperature were compared between NKB and vehicle in a double-blinded manner. Eight of ten participants experienced flushing during NKB infusion with none experiencing flushing during vehicle infusion (P = 0.0007). Significant elevations in heart rate (P = 0.0106 vs. pre-symptoms), and skin temperature measured using skin probe (P = 0.0258 vs. pre-symptoms) and thermal imaging (P = 0.0491 vs. pre-symptoms) characteristic of menopausal flushing were observed during hot flush episodes. Our findings provide evidence that NKB administration can cause hot flushes in women. Further studies are required to determine if pharmacological blockade of NKB signalling could inhibit hot flushes during the menopause and during treatment for sex-steroid dependent cancers.
منابع مشابه
The effects of red clover on hot flushes in post-menopausal women
Introduction: Hot flushing is one of the most common symptoms related to menopause which can lead to sleep deprivation, physical and psychological tiredness and disturbances in interpersonal relationships. In the recent years, tendency and desire toward alternative treatments, especially phytoestrogens, in relieving this symptom have been increased. Considering that red clover is the rich sourc...
متن کاملNeurokinin 3 receptor antagonism as a novel treatment for menopausal hot flushes: a phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
BACKGROUND Hot flushes affect 70% of menopausal women and often severely impact physical, psychosocial, sexual, and overall wellbeing. Hormone replacement therapy is effective but is not without risk. Neurokinin B signalling is increased in menopausal women, and has been implicated as an important mediator of hot flushes. METHODS This phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, sin...
متن کاملNew pathways in the treatment for menopausal hot flushes
Within the next 25 years, an estimated 1 billion women worldwide will be older than 50 years, and therefore likely to be nearing menopause or postmenopausal. Hot flushes (vasomotor symptoms) are experienced by approximately 73% of postmenopausal women, and the associated sleep disturbances, fatigue, and decreased cognitive function lead to a reduction in their quality of life and an increased u...
متن کاملHot flushes still occur in a population of 85-year-old Swedish women.
OBJECTIVES Hot flushes and night sweats often cause discomfort and may negatively affect sleep and quality of life. Studies have shown that menopausal symptoms, like hot flushes, may persist for up to 20 years after the menopausal transition, but there are no published studies regarding the occurrence of hot flushes among women older than 80 years. The aim of this study is to determine the prev...
متن کامل