Evaluation of HSP27 as a potential biomarker in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome

• Grant number: 24/23268-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Maternal and Child Health
• Principal Investigator: Cláudio Lera Orsatti
• Grantee: Livia Maria de Jesus Pereira
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE). Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/17306-7 - The role of Heat Shock Protein 27 in climateric women: a clinical, analytical and cross-sectional study, AP.R

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent one of the leading causes of mortality, particularly among postmenopausal women, with a significant increase in risk after the menopausal transition. This increase is exacerbated by metabolic syndrome (MetS), which includes risk factors such as abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance, all associated with higher susceptibility to CVD. The costs of CVD are substantial, with projections indicating increased expenditures for middle-aged and elderly adults by 2035. In this context, the Heat Shock Protein 27 (HSP27) has garnered attention for its potential role in modulating the inflammatory and antioxidant responses, particularly in relation to atherosclerosis and insulin resistance. Although experimental studies suggest a protective effect of HSP27 in atherosclerosis, the relationship between its circulating levels, MetS, and CVD in postmenopausal women remains unclear, with inconsistent clinical results. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between HSP27 levels and the presence of MetS in postmenopausal women, focusing on the correlation between the protein levels and MetS factors. This clinical, analytical, and cross-sectional study will include 128 women, divided into two groups: with MetS (64 participants) and without MetS (64 participants). Clinical and anthropometric evaluations will be performed, along with the quantification of serum HSP27 levels using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique, utilizing specific kits for detecting this protein. Additionally, detailed laboratory analyses of the lipidic, glycemic, and hormonal profiles of the participants will be conducted. Statistical analysis will be carried out to identify significant correlations between HSP27 levels and the factors of MetS. This research aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women with or without MetS and to evaluate HSP27 as a potential biomarker or therapeutic.