Changes in serum vascular endothelial growth factor following initiation of estrogen replacement after hysterectomy and oophorectomy.
BACKGROUND
Vascular endothelial growth factor has been shown to play an important role in preservation and restoration of endothelial integrity. Similar effects on endothelial function have been described with estrogen replacement. This poses the question whether some of the mechanisms ascribed to estrogen are in fact vascular endothelial growth factor mediated. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of continuous transdermal estrogen replacement on serum levels of secreted vascular endothelial growth factor in women following hysterectomy and oophorectomy.


METHODS
In a nonrandomized, prospective study, 40 hysterectomized and oophorectomized women were treated with transdermal estrogen. Their serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels were measured before and six months following estrogen treatment, using a commercially available ELISA kit.


RESULTS
The mean serum vascular endothelial growth factor level fell from 328 ng/ml (s.d. 164) before treatment to 285 ng/ml (s.d. 124) following six months of estrogen replacement. This decrease was statistically significant (p<0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Transdermal estrogen replacement in hysterectomized and oophorectomized women appears to be associated with a significant reduction in secreted serum vascular endothelial growth factor. However, the effect of hysterectomy and oophorectomy per se needs to be explained in appropriately designed trials.
Akkad
A
A
Gynaecology Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Robert-Kilpatrick-Clinical-Sciences Building, University of Leicester School of Medicine and Biological Sciences, Leicester, UK.
Al-Azzawi
F
F
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D004967:Estrogens; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors