title: Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of 25-mg estradiol implants in postmenopausal Mexican women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the serum concentrations of estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), gonadotrophins, sex hormone-binding globulin, and lipids, and to determine degree of symptom relief after subcutaneous implantation of 25 mg estradiol in postmenopausal Mexican women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen postmenopausal, hysterectomized women participated in an open, observational study. Blood samples were obtained before implantation and at regular intervals during a study period of 24 weeks. Climacteric symptoms were evaluated by means of the Greene climacteric scale. Wilcoxon's test was performed on the paired results of pre-and postimplantation values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum concentrations of E2 obtained after implantation were fairly constant, remaining within the early follicular range for the entire study period of 24 weeks, and were associated with significant symptom relief. A physiological, premenopausal E2:E1 ratio was achieved. No significant metabolic changes occurred. Side effects were estrogenic in nature and no removal of implant was required.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subcutaneous implantation of 25 mg estradiol results in physiological, premenopausal estrogen concentrations in most women and is associated with considerable symptom relief without inducing significant adverse metabolic effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: del Carmen Cravioto
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Larrea
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Escobar
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Díaz-Sánchez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Domínguez
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: de León
mesh_terms: D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004970:Estrone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D004970:Estrone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone