Effects of estrogen-progestin replacement therapy on plasma beta-endorphin levels in menopausal women.
Serum beta-endorphin, LH, FSH, estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) were measured in postmenopausal women before and after four different estrogen-progestin replacement therapies. Our result showed that serum E2 increased significantly and serum LH and FSH decreased significantly after all treatments. Serum P levels were similar before and after all treatments. Serum beta-endorphin levels increased significantly after cyclic administration of estrogen-progestin, but not after continuous administration of E2. We conclude that the frequently observed beneficial effects of estrogen-progestin replacement therapy on behavior and mood in postmenopausal women may be related to changes in peripheral opioid levels.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Spain.
E
E
Ortega
J L
JL
Cuadros
A R
AR
Gonzalez
E
E
Ruiz
D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D011374:Progesterone; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone