Effect of 17 beta-oestradiol and norethisterone acetate on vertebral bone mass and lipid metabolism in early postmenopausal women.
We studied the effects on vertebral bone density and lipid metabolism of long-term administration of 17 beta-oestradiol combined with norethisterone acetate in a 2-year prospective study carried out in 40 women, divided into 2 groups of 20 subjects. One group received treatment, while the other constituted the control group. In the untreated group, vertebral bone density was found to be decreased significantly by 1.1% at 12 months and by 4.4% at 24 months in relation to initial values (P < 0.001). Total cholesterol was significantly higher (P < 0.05) at the end of the 2-year period. By contrast, in the treated group, bone density showed significant increases of 5.6% at 12 months and 7% at 24 months (P < 0.001). Significant reductions in the biochemical markers of bone remodelling (osteocalcin and the urinary calcium/urinary creatinine ratio) were also observed. Total cholesterol, high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides did not change significantly during treatment. These results, as well as the good compliance with treatment (78%), suggest that this treatment regimen could be useful in the prevention of postmenopausal bone loss.
Ribot
C
C
Service d'Endocrinologie, U.F. Maladies Osseuses et Metaboliques, C.H.U. Purpan, Toulouse, France.
Tremollieres
F
F
Pouilles
J M
JM
D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000378:metabolism*; D008593:Menopause / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000097:blood; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D008055:Lipids; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D015675:Osteocalcin; D004958:Estradiol; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D009640:Norethindrone