Type III collagen content in the skin of postmenopausal women receiving oestradiol and testosterone implants.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of subcutaneous oestradiol and testosterone on the proportion of type III collagen in the skin of postmenopausal women.


METHODS
A cross sectional comparison.


METHODS
Dulwich Hospital menopause clinic.


METHODS
Fourteen untreated women and 11 women who had received subcutaneous oestradiol and testosterone for a median 8.0 years (range 3-14). Ten of the untreated women received subcutaneous hormone implants and the effect on skin collagen was studied prospectively.


METHODS
The proportion of type III collagen in skin biopsies taken from the lateral aspect of the thigh.


RESULTS
The median type III collagen content in the skin of the women who had received hormone replacement therapy (25.4%, range 21.4-30.2) was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than in the untreated women (19.6%, range 18.2-28.8). The proportion of type III collagen in the skin of 10 untreated women increased significantly (P < 0.01) from a median of 19.9% (range 18.2-23.9) to 22.4% (range 20.5-31.5) following 6 months of treatment with hormone implants.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates an increase in the proportion of type III collagen in women receiving hormone replacement therapy.
Savvas
M
M
Fertility and Endocrinology Centre, Lister Hospital, London, UK.
Bishop
J
J
Laurent
G
G
Watson
N
N
Studd
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004343:Drug Implants; D004958:Estradiol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
D004343:Drug Implants; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D003094:Collagen