The influence of apo E phenotypes on the plasma triglycerides response to hormonal replacement therapy during the menopause.
OBJECTIVE
To study the influence of apo E phenotype in plasma lipids, especially in triglycerides levels, in menopausal women receiving hormonal replacement therapy (HRT).


METHODS
One hundred and ten postmenopausal women were studied. Plasma total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C and triglycerides (TG) were measured before and after 3 months of HRT and the apo E phenotype was determined. According to the apo E phenotype the sample was divided into three groups: E2/E3 (n=28), E3/E3 (n=96) and E4/E3 (n=25).


RESULTS
In the pre-treatment state, higher plasma levels of TC and TC/HDL-C ratio were observed in women with phenotype E3/E4 (P<0.0001 and P<0.02, respectively), while higher plasma TG levels were found in the apo E2/E3 group (P<0.0001). After HRT, women with phenotype E3/E4 showed higher levels of TC and TC/HDL-C ratio (P<0.0001 and P<0.006, respectively). The apo E2/E3 phenotype group showed increased levels of TG (P<0.0001). In the multivariant analysis the changes of TG after HRT were related to the type of treatment used (P<0.001), age (P=0.05) and the apo E phenotype (E2/E3).


CONCLUSIONS
Women with phenotype E2/E3 have higher plasma TG levels and show a significant post HRT increase compared with the other phenotypes. Other factors with a lower impact on TG levels are age and progestagen association.
Tolosa
M
M
Endocrinology Services, Hospital Clínico Universitario, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Peiró
S
S
Real
J T
JT
Cano
A
A
Ascaso
J F
JF
Carmena
R
R
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013030:Spain; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D004958:Estradiol; D002784:Cholesterol; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone