Insulin resistance is increased by transdermal estrogen therapy in postmenopausal women with cardiac syndrome X.
Estrogen has been reported to have both short- and long-term effects on the cardiovascular system. However, it remains to be examined how short-term transdermal estrogen therapy (TET) affects insulin sensitivity (SI) in patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX), who are characterized by elevated insulin resistance. SI was assessed in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study by minimal model analysis in seven postmenopausal women with CSX treated by TET. SI decreased by 32 +/- 8.3%, from 5.94 +/- 1.14 at baseline to 3.61 +/- 0.40 [(10(-4) x min(-1))/(microU/ml)] during TET (p = 0.03). Time to the onset of symptoms increased from 414.2 +/- 51.0 s at baseline to 450.0 +/- 53.2 s (p = 0.04). We conclude that TET increases SI in postmenopausal women with CSX. This effect is unrelated to the beneficial anti-ischemic effects on exercise duration.
Assali
A R
AR
Cardiology Division, University of Texas Medical School and Hermann Hospital, Houston, Tex., USA.
Jabara
Z
Z
Shafer
Z
Z
Solodky
A
A
Herz
I
I
Sclarovsky
E
E
Strasberg
B
B
Sclarovsky
S
S
Fainaru
M
M
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D017566:Microvascular Angina / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies