Estrogen/gestagen therapy changes soft tissue body composition in postmenopausal women.
The long-term effect of percutaneous and oral estrogen replacement therapy on soft tissue body composition was examined in a two-year, placebo-controlled study with 110 early postmenopausal women. The women were allocated to four treatment groups: (1) oral cyclical combination of estradiol valerate and cyproterone acetate, (2) oral placebo, (3) percutaneous 17 beta-estradiol, supplemented by oral progesterone during the second year, or (4) percutaneous placebo cream. Total-body lean body mass (LBM) and fat mass (FM) were measured by dual photon (153Gd) absorptiometry once a year, and the fat layer in the distal forearm (FATarm) was measured every 3 months by single photon (125I) absorptiometry. Both hormone therapies prevented an increase in FATarm, as observed in the placebo groups. A similar pattern was seen for FM, body weight, and skin-fold thickness (measured once a year by mechanical calipers), whereas LBM was unaffected by the therapy. Hormonal replacement therapy prevents the age-related increase in body fat observed after the menopause.
Hassager
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Department of Clinical Chemistry, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Christiansen
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D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012885:Skinfold Thickness
D010919:Placebos; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol