Venous endothelial function in postmenopausal women after six months of tibolone therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To test venous endothelial function in long-term climateric therapy with tibolone.


METHODS
Measurement of dorsal hand-vein diameter by venous occlusion plethysmography during infusion of norepinephrine (NE), bradykinin (BK), NG-monomethyl L-arginine (L-NMMA) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP).


METHODS
Plethysmography and Menopause Units. University Hospital Valdecilla. Santander. Spain.


METHODS
Eleven postmenopausal women having continuous treatment with oral tibolone (2.5 mg/day) for 6 months.


METHODS
Three plethysmography studies were made: at baseline, and at three and six months of treatment.


METHODS
Dorsal hand-vein diameter measured by venous occlusion plethysmography during infusion of NE, BK, L-NMMA and SNP.


RESULTS
(a) Baseline study: maximum dilation with BK was 54.2+/-10.2%. (b) Three-month study: BK dilation of 71.5+/-11.9%, with a significant increase of 17.3% (P=0.019) compared with baseline. (c) Six-month study: BK dilation of 77.5+/-11.9%, with a significant increase 23.3% (P=0.002) compared with baseline. Maximal vasodilation was reached with SNP in the three studies and L-NMMA infusion has a similar vasoconstrictor response in the three studies.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term climateric therapy with tibolone improves vein endothelium-dependent vasodilation suggesting a positive impact of this drug on endothelial function.
Ceballos
C
C
Department of Gynecology, Hospital Universitario M. de Valdecilla, University of Cantabria, Santander 39008, Spain.
Ribes
C
C
Amado
J A
JA
de Mier
I
I
de Rozas
L S
LS
Berrazueta
J R
JR
D000284:Administration, Oral; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010991:Plethysmography; D017698:Postmenopause; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*
D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009652:Norpregnenes; C027385:tibolone