Serum vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in postmenopausal women: the effect of hormone replacement therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations in healthy postmenopausal women in relation to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the presence or absence of a uterus.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
The Middlesex Hospital.


METHODS
A total of 199 postmenopausal women were enrolled: 132 had uterus in situ and 67 had had hysterectomies. Of the 67 women who had had hysterectomies, 6 received no HRT, 20 received tibolone, 25 received transdermal E2, and 16 received conjugated equine estrogens. Of the 132 women with uteri in situ, 34 received no HRT, 56 received tibolone, 24 received transdermal E2 with sequential norethisterone acetate, and 18 received conjugated equine estrogens with sequential levonorgestrel.


METHODS
Serum VEGF level measurement.


METHODS
Serum VEGF concentrations.


RESULTS
Women who received HRT had higher VEGF concentrations than those not receiving HRT. Among women who received no HRT, those with uterus in situ had higher VEGF levels than did those who had had hysterectomies. Among women who had had hysterectomies, VEGF concentrations were higher in those who received conjugated equine estrogens than in those who did not receive HRT and those who received tibolone or transdermal E2. Among women with uterus in situ, no difference was found between subgroups.


CONCLUSIONS
Postmenopausal women with uterus in situ and those who received HRT had higher VEGF concentrations than did those who had had hysterectomies and who did not receive HRT. Among women receiving HRT, those who received conjugated equine estrogens alone had higher VEGF concentrations. This estrogen-mediated increase in serum VEGF concentrations may be a mechanism by which HRT benefits the cardiovascular system.
Agrawal
R
R
Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, The Middlesex Hospital and The Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom. ganapaty@dircon.co.uk
Prelevic
G
G
Conway
G S
GS
Payne
N N
NN
Ginsburg
J
J
Jacobs
H S
HS
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; 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; D007044:Hysterectomy; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017698:Postmenopause; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D008222:Lymphokines; D009652:Norpregnenes; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D004958:Estradiol; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; C027385:tibolone; D009640:Norethindrone