To investigate functional changes of mitochondria in pre- and post-menopausal healthy women and anti-aging mechanism of estrogen on the mitochondria.

From March to September 2008, 41 pre- and post-menopausal healthy women were selected in this study, and they were divided into 2 groups, pre-menopausal group (n=15) and post-menopausal group (n=26). Informed consent was obtained from all participates. Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and adenosine triphosphate of platelets (ATP) were compared between 2 groups. As for post-menopausal group, thrombocytic mitochondria were incubated with estradiol benzoate (EB) for 1 hour (post-menopausal+ estrogen group), and then changes of mitochondrial membrane potential and adenosine triphosphate in mitochondria were compared before and after incubation.

Mitochondrial membrane potential were 1.59±0.29 and 1.30±0.17 in pre-menopausal group and post-menopausal group, respectively and adenosine triphosphate were (3.38±0.67) μg/mL and (1.60±0.97) μg/mL, respectively, which had significant difference (P<0.05). After estrogen treatment, mitochondrial membrane potential and adenosine triphosphate increased significantly, and the difference was significant compared with post-menopausal group with out estrogen treatment (P<0.05).

The mechanism of accelerated aging after menopause may be related to estrogen withdraw, which leads to mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, estrogen may play a role in anti-aging through protecting mitochondrial function.