Raloxifene and endothelial function in healthy postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of raloxifene on endothelial function in healthy, postmenopausal women.


METHODS
This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Subjects (n = 19; mean age, 61 years) underwent endothelial function testing at baseline and after treatment with placebo or raloxifene (60 mg per day for 6 weeks).


RESULTS
Brachial artery diameter change (flow-mediated dilation) increased 5.0% with placebo and 8.56% with raloxifene (SE = 1.83, P =.03) in response to a hyperemic stimulus; an adjustment of this response for a variation in stimulus intensity resulted in greater discrimination (P =.009). The ratio of area under the curve response to area under the curve reference with the use of laser Doppler measures was 1.18 for placebo and 1.28 for raloxifene (P =.05). Flow-mediated dilation and area under the curve ratio correlated significantly (r = 0.33, P =.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with raloxifene enhanced endothelial-mediated dilation in brachial arteries and digital vessels in healthy, postmenopausal women. A potential mechanism for a cardioprotective effect of raloxifene is suggested and warrants further study.
Sarrel
Philip M
PM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University School of Medicine, USA. philip.sarrel@Yale.edu
Nawaz
Haq
H
Chan
Wendy
W
Fuchs
Melissa
M
Katz
David L
DL
D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000502:physiology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology*; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects; D014666:Vasomotor System / Q000187:drug effects
D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride