Research Article

Serum Protein Evaluation and Electrophoretic Patterns of Post- Menopausal Women in Ekpoma, Edo State

Abstract

Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstruation resulting from loss of ovarian follicular function, leading to reduced production of estradiol and other ovarian hormones. This hormonal decline, particularly in estrogen, is known to influence several metabolic and biochemical processes. This study aimed to evaluate serum total protein, albumin, calculated globulin, and the electrophoretic patterns of serum proteins in post-menopausal women in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. A total of 120 women were recruited, comprising 70 post menopausal women (test group) and 50 pre-menopausal women (control group). Venous blood was collected into plain tubes, allowed to clot, and centrifuged to obtain serum for analysis. Serum total protein and albumin were determined using standard colorimetric methods (biuret and bromocresol green methods, respectively). Serum globulin was derived by subtracting albumin from total protein, and serum protein electrophoresis was performed using cellulose acetate paper. Post-menopausal women showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) serum total protein, albumin, and globulin concentrations compared with pre-menopausal controls. The mean total serum protein increased from 7.64 ± 0.83 g/dL in pre-menopausal women to 8.34 ± 1.15 g/dL in post-menopausal women. Similarly, serum albumin increased from 4.52 ± 0.54 g/dL in controls to 4.85 ± 0.97 g/dL in the post-menopausal group. Calculated globulin was also higher in post-menopausal women (3.46 ± 1.37 g/dL) than in pre-menopausal women (3.12 ± 1.37 g/dL). The albumin-to-globulin ratio, however, was lower in post-menopausal women (1.77 ± 1.28) compared with controls (1.95 ± 1.28), indicating a relative increase in globulin fractions. Electrophoretic analysis further revealed alterations in specific protein fractions among post-menopausal women: albumin band variation was observed in 33 (46.57%) subjects, α1 and α2 globulin differences in 10 (14.28%), β1/β2 globulin variation in 19 (27%), and γ-globulin variation in 43 (67%) of post-menopausal subjects compared with controls. These findings suggest that menopause is associated with measurable changes in serum protein concentrations and electrophoretic patterns, possibly reflecting hormonal withdrawal, low-grade inflammation, or altered protein synthesis in post-menopausal women. Routine evaluation of serum proteins in this population may therefore provide useful supportive information in monitoring health status after menopause.