The effects of systemic hormonal replacement therapy on the skin of postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of hormonal replacement therapy on the skin of postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Forty-one postmenopausal women were randomly allocated to receive either hormonal replacement (valerate estradiol--2 mg/day for 21 days and cyproterone acetate--1 mg/day for 10 days) or placebo, both in a cyclic scheme for 6 months. Neither patients nor investigators were aware of the group allocation. Histologic changes were evaluated by skin biopsy of the left upper arm at baseline and after 6 months of treatment, utilizing computerized image analysis to assess the ratio area of epidermis/basement membrane length (AE/BML), ratio area of keratin/basement membrane length (AK/BML) and collagen and elastic fibers content.


RESULTS
Collagen content of the left upper arm increased after 6 months of treatment only in the hormonal group (+6.49%; P < 0.05). Other parameters did not present any significant alteration after treatment in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Hormonal replacement for climacterics increases skin collagen content.
Sauerbronn
A V
AV
Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Hospital das Clínicas of University of São Paulo Medical School, Brazil. qb02834@zaz.com.br
Fonseca
A M
AM
Bagnoli
V R
VR
Saldiva
P H
PH
Pinotti
J A
JA
D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004958:Estradiol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*
D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate; D004958:Estradiol; D003094:Collagen