Cyproterone acetate could counteract the benefits of estradiol valerate in oophorectomized cholesterol-fed rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
The administration of hormonal replacement treatment to women with an intact uterus needs to be supplemented with progestogenic compounds to avoid endometrial hyperplasia. However, progestins may cancel the beneficial effects of estrogens on the cardiovascular system. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of adding cyproterone acetate to estradiol (E(2))on aorta atherogenesis.


METHODS
Thirty-two cholesterol-fed New Zealand white rabbits were studied for 4 months. The animals underwent laparotomy and were randomly allocated to four groups. Twenty-four rabbits underwent bilateral ovariectomy, and the other eight were sham-operated (group S). The ovariectomized rabbits were allocated to three groups of eight animals each receiving E(2) valerate (group E), E(2) valerate plus cyproterone acetate (group EC), or placebo after sterilization (group C).


RESULTS
After 4 months, the cholesterol-rich diet caused atherosclerotic aortic lesions in both treated groups that affected 17.91% +/- 10.19% and 28.16% +/- 7.97% of the aortic surface of groups E and EC, respectively, with a markedly lower aortic plaque size in group E than in groups C and S. Rabbits from group E (but not from group EC) had aortic cholesterol content significantly lower than rabbits from the sham-operated and control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
E(2) valerate reduces aortic atheromatosis in cholesterol-fed, ovariectomized rabbits, and the addition of cyproterone acetate may neutralize this effect.
Sanjuán
Alex
A
Menopause Clinic, Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Castelo-Branco
Camil
C
Vicente
Juan José
JJ
Ascaso
Carlos
C
Ordi
Jaume
J
Casals
Elena
E
Mercadé
Inma
I
Escaramís
Georgia
G
Vanrell
Juan Antonio
JA
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004958:Estradiol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D009929:Organ Size; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011336:Probability; D011817:Rabbits; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate; D004958:Estradiol