title: Effects of hormone replacement therapy on plasma homocysteine and C-reactive protein levels.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. ayliny@ato.org.tr
authors.forename: Aylin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yildirir
authors.forename: Funda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aybar
authors.forename: Lale
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tokgozoglu
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yarali
authors.forename: Giray
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kabakci
authors.forename: Orhan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bukulmez
authors.forename: Incilay
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sinici
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oto
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D006710:Homocysteine; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone