title: Postmenopausal cyclic estrogen-progestin therapy lowers lipoprotein[a].
abstract: In 21 postmenopausal women, ages 45 to 55 years, we assessed the effects of 3 months of cyclic estrogen-progestin therapy on lipoprotein[a] (Lp[a]), lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, blood pressure, and insulin/glucose relationships. After a pretherapy baseline study, conjugated estrogens (0.625 mg for 21 days) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (5 mg last 10 days) were given to the women cyclically for 3 months, and then the study was repeated. During hormone replacement therapy, mean plasma Lp[a] fell 25% (from 20 to 15 mg/dl) (p = 0.0001), apolipoprotein B fell 14% (p = 0.01), and triglyceride fell 15% (p = 0.01), while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) rose 26% (p = 0.0001) and apolipoprotein A1 rose 25% (p = 0.003). The area under the insulin curve after oral glucose tolerance fell 33% (p = 0.0001), while the ratio of insulin area to glucose area fell 22% (p = 0.006). Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure fell, respectively, 6% and 10% (p = 0.0001 for both). We speculate that the potential cardioprotective effect of estrogen-progestin therapy in postmenopausal women may be mediated through lowering Lp(a) as well as raising HDLC and apolipoprotein A1, lowering apolipoprotein B and blood pressure, and decreasing insulin resistance.
authors.affiliation: University of the Andes, Merida, Venezuela.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mendoza
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Velazquez
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Osona
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hamer
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Glueck
mesh_terms: D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I / Q000378:metabolism; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000378:metabolism; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D007328:Insulin; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D014280:Triglycerides; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate