The effect of tibolone on the lipoprotein profile of postmenopausal women with type III hyperlipoproteinemia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the short-term effect of treatment with tibolone on plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels in postmenopausal women with type III hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP).


METHODS
Patients were randomized to receive, in a double-blind cross-over fashion, a fixed dose of tibolone, 2.5 mg once daily or placebo for 8 weeks. The two treatment periods were separated by a wash-out period of 6 weeks. At each visit body weight and blood pressure were determined. Before and after each treatment period, fasting venous blood samples were obtained from the patients for biochemical measurements.


METHODS
The Leiden University Medical Center.


METHODS
Postmenopausal women with type III HLP (aged < or = 65 years) were recruited from the Lipid Clinics of the Leiden University Medical Center, the Amsterdam Medical Center, the Utrecht Medical Center and the University Hospital Rotterdam. Five out of 25 women with type III HLP were eligible to be included in the study. Four of the five included patients completed the study according to the protocol. One patient was excluded from blinded therapy because total cholesterol levels increased above 20 mmol L(-1).


METHODS
A significant reduction of plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and VLDL triglyceride levels.


RESULTS
Plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels decreased from 6.82 +/- 3.58 to 2.45 +/- 1.36 mmol L(-1) and from 13.53 +/- 3.64 to 6.61 +/- 2.03 mmol L(-1), respectively (both P < 0.05). The body mass index remained unchanged. The glycated haemoglobin percentage decreased significantly from 5.8 to 5.3%. Treatment with tibolone resulted in a profound reduction in plasma apolipoprotein E, VLDL cholesterol and VLDL triglyceride levels (mean reductions of 66, 77 and 70%, respectively, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Tibolone is a valuable adjuvant to current therapy in postmenopausal women with type III HLP.
de Beer
F
F
TNO Prevention and Health, Gaubius Laboratory, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
Smelt
A H M
AH
van Vark
L C
LC
Hoogerbrugge
N
N
Havekes
L M
LM
Gevers Leuven
J A
JA
D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL / Q000097:blood; D002979:Climacteric / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006952:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type III / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL; D008074:Lipoproteins; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL; D009652:Norpregnenes; D014280:Triglycerides; C030106:very low density lipoprotein triglyceride; D002784:Cholesterol; C027385:tibolone