Effects of transdermal hormone replacement therapy on levels of soluble P- and E-selectin in postmenopausal healthy women.
OBJECTIVE
To study the adhesion molecule pattern in postmenopausal women who were not receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT), HRT users, and fertile women.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.


METHODS
Fifty healthy naturally postmenopausal women and 20 fertile women.


METHODS
Twenty-six women received no HRT and 24 received continuous transdermal 17 beta-estradiol, 0.05 mg/d, plus oral acetate nomegestrol, 5 mg/d.


METHODS
Levels of the soluble forms of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, and P-selectin.


RESULTS
Women who did not received HRT showed a trend toward higher levels of soluble E-selectin and had significantly higher levels of soluble P-selectin than did fertile women. Levels of soluble E-selectin and soluble P-selectin were significantly lower in HRT users than in nonusers. Levels of VCAM-1 levels were significantly higher in HRT users than in fertile women, but no significant differences in CAM concentrations were found between the other groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Menopause may lead to increased levels of soluble E- and soluble P-selectin, whereas long-term HRT is associated with lower selectin concentrations. This suggests that HRT may have a beneficial effect on endothelial function.
Farzati
Angelo
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
Esposito
Katherine
K
Colacurci
Nicola
N
Fornaro
Felice
F
Chiantera
Vito
V
Farzati
Bartolomeo
B
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D008535:Megestrol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood*; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood
D019040:E-Selectin; D019007:P-Selectin; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; C047637:nomegestrol; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D004958:Estradiol; D008535:Megestrol