A randomised comparison of the effects of oral versus transdermal 17beta-oestradiol, each combined with sequential oral norethisterone acetate, on serum lipoprotein levels.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of oral versus transdermal 17beta-oestradiol, given in both cases with sequential addition of oral norethisterone acetate, on serum lipid and lipoprotein levels in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Open, randomised, parallel groups study.


METHODS
University Clinical Research Group.


METHODS
Sixty-four postmenopausal women with climacteric complaints who were otherwise healthy were screened. Of these, 58 fulfilled the entry criteria.


METHODS
Fifty-eight postmenopausal women were randomised to receive either oral 17beta-oestradiol/oestriol (Trisequens) or transdermal 17beta-oestradiol (Estrapak) together with cyclical addition of norethisterone acetate for 48 weeks.


METHODS
Serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoproteins (HDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), apolipoproteins, and lipoprotein(a) at baseline, and after 46 weeks (oestrogen-alone phase), and 48 weeks (oestrogen-progestogen phase) of treatment.


RESULTS
Oral oestradiol therapy did not affect serum total cholesterol levels during the oestrogen-alone phase, but during the combined phase there was a 5% fall (P < 0.05) due to a 7% decrease in LDL cholesterol levels (P < 0.01). Oral therapy also increased serum triglyceride levels by 9.4% during the oestrogen-alone phase (P < 0.05). During the combined phase of transdermal therapy, there was a 19% fall in serum triglyceride levels (P < 0.05) and a 6% fall in HDL levels (P < 0.05). Oral oestradiol reduced lipoprotein(a) levels by 31% during the oestrogen-alone phase and by 37% with norethisterone acetate addition (P < 0.05). Transdermal therapy had no significant effect on lipoprotein(a).


CONCLUSIONS
Other than a minor fall in HDL3 in women receiving transdermal 17beta-oestradiol, coadministration of oral progestogen in general improved, rather than worsened, this serum lipoprotein profile.
Spencer
C
C
Wynn Division of Metabolic Medicine, Imperial College of Medicine at the National Heart and Lung Institute, London, UK.
Crook
D
D
Ross
D
D
Cooper
A
A
Whitehead
M
M
Stevenson
J
J
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008074:Lipoproteins; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL; D004958:Estradiol; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D009640:Norethindrone