Biologic effects of delta-8-estrone sulfate in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To determine in postmenopausal women the biological effects of delta-8-estrone sulfate, a novel estrogen component of Premarin (Wyeth-Ayerst, Philadelphia, PA).


METHODS
An open-label, nonrandomized study of six healthy postmenopausal women was conducted. Each subject took 0.125 mg of delta-8-estrone sulfate daily for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected at day 0 (baseline) and once a week for 8 weeks. Urine was collected on day 0 and at weeks 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Serum gonadotropins (follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone), plasma binding proteins (corticosteroid-binding globulin/sex hormone-binding globulin), a marker for bone turnover (urinary n-telopeptide), and markers for cardiovascular effects (cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein(c), low-density lipoprotein oxidation, and rate of diene formation) were measured.


RESULTS
Follicle-stimulating hormone levels decreased from 84.0 +/- 8.5 to 67.0 +/- 8.5 mlU/mL (P = .02), whereas luteinizing hormone levels did not change. Corticosteroid-binding globulin levels increased from 3.30 +/- 0.16 to 4.10 +/- 0.16 mg/dL (P = .02), and no change in sex hormone-binding globulin was noted. The n-telopeptide levels decreased an average of 31% from 40.7 +/- 4.9 to 28 +/- 7.0 nmol/L bone collagen equivalents/mmol/L creatinine (P = .03). Plasma diene concentration and diene production rate decreased by 34% and 40%, respectively; these changes were not significantly different from baseline values. In contrast, a significant (P = .03) 68% increase in the lag time for low-density lipoprotein(c) oxidation (38.5 +/- 5.5 minutes versus 64.8 +/- 8.5 minutes) was observed. No significant change occurred in total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein(c), and low-density lipoprotein(c).


CONCLUSIONS
Small doses (0.125 mg) of delta-8-estrone sulfate have profound estrogenic effects in postmenopausal women. The changes observed in n-telopeptide levels and the lag-time delay in oxidation of low-density lipoprotein(c) indicate that this estrogen contributes toward the overall beneficial effects on bone and cardiovascular system associated with Premarin therapy.
Bhavnani
B R
BR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Ontario.
Cecutti
A
A
Dey
M S
MS
D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003094:Collagen / Q000652:urine; D024042:Collagen Type I; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004970:Estrone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010455:Peptides / Q000652:urine; D017698:Postmenopause; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D014156:Transcortin / Q000378:metabolism
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D024042:Collagen Type I; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D010455:Peptides; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; C052929:collagen type I trimeric cross-linked peptide; C113823:delta-8-estrone sulfate; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D004970:Estrone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D003094:Collagen; D014156:Transcortin; D002784:Cholesterol; C017296:estrone sulfate