Effects of medrogestone and conjugated oestrogens on serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations.
Twenty patients, aged 30-60 yr, who had undergone bilateral ovariectomy, were treated orally with 5 mg medrogestone (6,17-dimethylpregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione) and 1.25 mg conjugated oestrogens per day, according to a constant dosage pattern during the cycle (22 + 6 days). The lipids and lipoproteins were determined twice before the start of therapy and 3, 6 and 12 mth thereafter. The lipids were quantified enzymatically and the lipoproteins by quantitative lipoprotein electrophoresis. Whilst cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations showed no detectable change, a slight but significant increase was seen in the high-density alphalipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations. The low-density beta-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level showed a moderate fall. There was a resultant reduction in the beta/alpha-lipoprotein ratio. Accordingly, the apoprotein A1 concentrations were found to be elevated, while apoprotein B tended to fall to lower levels during therapy. When these changes are measured by the lipid metabolism risk criterion for the occurrence of coronary heart disease applicable to post-menopausal patients, the effects of the above-mentioned combination may be regarded as entirely favourable.
D000328:Adult; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008524:Medrogestone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011245:Pregnadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012306:Risk
D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D011245:Pregnadienes; D008524:Medrogestone