Changes in the profile of lipoprotein subfractions associated with hormone replacement therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To report the effects of 2 regimens of hormone replacement therapy during the postmenopausal period on the profile of the major lipoprotein subfractions (HDL, LDL, and VLDL).


METHODS
We carried out a cohort study in 38 postmenopausal patients who were starting their hormone replacement therapy due to gynecological indications, for a period of 12 weeks. Analysis of lipoprotein subclasses was performed through nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.


RESULTS
Hormone replacement therapy cause an increase in the proportion of larger subfractions of VLDL and HDL (p=0.008 and 0.03, respectively) and in the proportion of larger particles of VLDL due to a 36% increase in the levels of larger particles (p=0.004), concomitantly with a 15% reduction in the levels of smaller particles (p=0.04). In regard to HDL, the increase occurred only a 17% increase in the levels of larger particles (p=0.002). No significant change occurred in the distribution pattern of LDL subfractions.


CONCLUSIONS
The proportion of larger subfractions of VLDL and HDL increases after hormone replacement therapy. The increase in the proportion of larger particles of VLDL occurs due to an increase in the levels of the larger subclasses concomitantly with a reduction in the smaller particles. However, an increase in the proportion of larger particles of HDL occurs only due to an increase in the levels of the larger subfractions.
Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul, Fundação Universitária de Cardiologia, Porto Alegre.
J L
JL
da Costa Vieira
M E
ME
Gomes
A B
AB
Almeida
E H
EH
Moriguchi
D015331:Cohort Studies; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged
D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL