title: Effects of tibolone on plasma levels of nitric oxide in postmenopausal women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of tibolone on nitric oxide (NO) plasma levels in postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy volunteers in an academic research environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen healthy women who have been in postmenopause for 1-4 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women received either tibolone 2.5 mg/day (group A) or placebo (group B) for 1 month; then the treatment was inverted for the second month.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma concentration of NO stable oxidation products and blood pressure were evaluated at baseline, month 1, and month 2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline concentration of NO metabolites were similar in both groups. At month 1, mean concentration of NO metabolites increased significantly in group A alone. At the end of month 2, NO metabolite levels in group A returned to baseline, whereas in group B they increased significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tibolone induced a sustained increase in plasma levels of NO in postmenopausal women, suggesting that tibolone may exert a direct cardiovascular protective effect in postmenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: First Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari, Italy. Cicinelli@gynecology1.uniba.it
authors.forename: Ettore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cicinelli
authors.forename: Louis J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Ignarro
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Galantino
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barba
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schonauer
mesh_terms: D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010919:Placebos; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D009652:Norpregnenes; D010919:Placebos; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C027385:tibolone