Postmenopausal oral 17beta-estradiol continuously combined with dydrogesterone reduces fasting serum homocysteine levels.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of oral 17beta-estradiol administration continuously combined with dydrogesterone on fasting serum total homocysteine levels in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind study.


METHODS
Gynecologic outpatient department of a university hospital.


METHODS
One hundred thirty-five healthy, nonhysterectomized postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Oral micronized 17beta-estradiol (2 mg/d) continuously combined with one of four dosages of dydrogesterone (2.5 mg [n = 41], 5 mg [n = 38], 10 mg [n = 37], or 15 mg [n = 19]) was given for 6 months.


METHODS
Fasting serum total homocysteine concentrations.


RESULTS
The mean fasting serum total homocysteine concentrations in the overall study population decreased significantly (by 13.5%) after the first 3 months of treatment and remained unchanged thereafter. No influence of dydrogesterone dosage was found. The greatest reduction in total homocysteine concentration was obtained in women with the highest baseline levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Continuously combined hormone replacement therapy lowers fasting serum total homocysteine levels significantly in postmenopausal women. This decrease may be one of the mechanisms that underlie the cardioprotective effects of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy.
Mijatovic
V
V
University Hospital Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Kenemans
P
P
Netelenbos
C
C
Jakobs
C
C
Popp-Snijders
C
C
Peters-Muller
E R
ER
van der Mooren
M J
MJ
D000284:Administration, Oral; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004394:Dydrogesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis
D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D006710:Homocysteine; D004958:Estradiol; D004394:Dydrogesterone