Abstract:
OBJECTIVES : Neurokinin B (NKB) and kisspeptin are obligate
for normal gonadotropin secretion, and links between gonadotropin-
releasing hormone (GnRH) pulsatility and vasomotor
symptoms have been proposed. Using a selective NKB
receptor (NK3R) antagonist, the role of NKB in the hypergonadotropic
state in menopausal women was explored.
METHODS : Eleven postmenopausal women were administered
the NK3R antagonist MLE4901 at 40 mg twice daily
orally for 7 days. Ten-minute blood sampling for 8 h was performed
before and on the last day of NK3R antagonist treatment
for luteinising hormone (LH) pulsatility analysis with
kisspeptin-10 (0.3 μg/kg i.v. bolus) administered at 6 h on
both days. Hot flash frequency and severity were self-reported
for 7 days before and during NK3R antagonist administration.
RESULTS : LH fell from 29.3 ± 4.1 to 24.4 ± 3.8 IU/L
(p < 0.05) after 7 days of NK3R antagonist treatment, with
no change in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Basal (non-
