Effects of estrogen and psychological stress on plasma homocysteine levels.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of estrogen (E) and psychological stress on plasma total homocysteine levels in relation to menopausal status.


METHODS
Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.


METHODS
The General Clinical Research Center of a university hospital.


METHODS
Thirty-six postmenopausal women and 26 premenopausal women. Both samples were healthy nonsmokers.


METHODS
Both premenopausal and postmenopausal women were subjected to a 6-minute psychological stressor. Postmenopausal women were randomized to one of three treatment arms: 2 mg of E2 or 2 mg of E2 + 5 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), or a placebo, all of which were given orally for 3 months. The psychological stressor was readministered after the 3-month regimen.


METHODS
Plasma total homocysteine levels were measured before and after the psychological stressor on one occasion for premenopausal women and before and after hormone replacement or placebo for postmenopausal women.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in homocysteine levels between premenopausal (7.2 +/- 1.7 micromol/L; mean +/- SD) and postmenopausal women (7.9 +/- 2.06; mean +/- SD). There was no effect of stress or hormone replacement on homocysteine levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychological stress, menopausal status, and oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT) do not affect plasma total homocysteine levels in women with normal basal homocysteine levels.
Farag
Noha H
NH
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California 92093, USA. nfarag@ucsd.edu
Barshop
Bruce A
BA
Mills
Paul J
PJ
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D010919:Placebos; D017698:Postmenopause; D017697:Premenopause; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology
D004967:Estrogens; D010919:Placebos; D006710:Homocysteine; D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone