Effect of prostaglandin inhibitor and oestrogen on climacteric symptoms and serum free fatty acids.
Oestradiol and naproxen were compared in a double-blind, cross-over study of 20 women suffering from climacteric symptoms. Subjective symptoms were assessed before and after treatment. In addition, serum levels of prostaglandin precursors and of certain other free fatty acids were determined. Oestradiol was found to have a slightly more pronounced effect than naproxen on symptoms and on fatty acid levels. Nevertheless, a large number of the patients reported significant alleviation of their symptoms on naproxen. Some of the climacteric symptoms may thus be mediated by prostaglandins. In most patients the fatty acid levels decreased after treatment with both substances, but there were two exceptions. It is suggested that there may be two separate types of metabolic response to these drugs.
D002979:Climacteric / Q000187:drug effects*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004958:Estradiol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009288:Naproxen / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011448:Prostaglandin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000096:biosynthesis
D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D011448:Prostaglandin Antagonists; D011453:Prostaglandins; D004958:Estradiol; D009288:Naproxen