Effects of hormone replacement therapy on plasma homocysteine and C-reactive protein levels.
In order to investigate the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on plasma homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels 46 healthy postmenopausal women were prospectively enrolled. HRT, which was either 0.625 mg/day conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) plus 2.5 mg/day medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or 0.625 mg/day CEE alone were administered. After 6 months, estrogen alone significantly increased serum CRP concentrations (p = 0.039), however, estrogen plus progesterone therapy did not significantly alter serum CRP levels. Both regimens significantly decreased plasma homocysteine levels (CEE group p = 0.034, CEE+MPA group p = 0.007). It was concluded that the reduction in plasma homocysteine levels with both regimens might contribute to the cardiovascular benefit of HRT and the CRP raising effect of estrogen might be partially prevented by the addition of progesterone.
Yildirir
Aylin
A
Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. ayliny@ato.org.tr
Aybar
Funda
F
Tokgozoglu
Lale
L
Yarali
Hakan
H
Kabakci
Giray
G
Bukulmez
Orhan
O
Sinici
Incilay
I
Oto
Ali
A
D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000494:pharmacology; D011446:Prospective Studies
D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D006710:Homocysteine; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone