Effect of oral and transdermal hormone replacement therapy on lipid profile and Lp(a) level in menopausal women with hypercholesterolemia.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this randomized clinical study was to evaluate the hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) effect on plasma lipoproteins and Lp(a) profile in 42 menopausal women with primary hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol > 240 mg/dL).


METHODS
University clinic.


METHODS
42 hypercholesterolemic menopausal women were randomly assigned to the following groups; (1) transdermal estradiol, 50 micrograms + medroxyprogesterone 10 mg/day for days; (2) conjugated equine estrogens, 0.625 mg/day + medroxyprogesterone acetate 10 mg/day for 12 days; (3) no treatment. At baseline and after 3 and 6 months two blood samples were collected with a 24-hour interval in order to reduce intraindividual and laboratory variability. Serum total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and Lp(a) were determined.


RESULTS
Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol significantly decreased after 6 months in both treated groups in comparison to untreated women; HDL cholesterol and triglycerides showed only minimal changes. HRT at the dosage utilized in the study did not seem influence the Lp(a) concentrations after 3 and 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Both transdermal and oral estrogens at medium dosage have a favorable influence on total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol level of hypercholesterolemic menopausal women, but Lp(a) remains resistant to manipulation.
Perrone
G
G
I. Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica, Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Stefanutti
C
C
Galoppi
P
P
Anelli
G
G
Capri
O
O
Lucani
G
G
Vivenzio
A
A
Mazzarella
B
B
Zichella
L
L
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008593:Menopause / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D008055:Lipids; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D014280:Triglycerides; D004958:Estradiol; D002784:Cholesterol; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate