Progesterone does not influence vascular function in postmenopausal women.
BACKGROUND
The protective functions of oestrogen therapy alone on cardiovascular risk parameters are well established; however, the action of progesterone on vascular parameters in an oestrogen-deprived environment is less clear.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of progesterone alone on vascular function and hormone levels in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
In a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design study, 20 healthy postmenopausal women were tested before and after 6 weeks of treatment with micronized progesterone (100 mg/daily) and matching placebo.


METHODS
Tests included measurement of sex hormones and gonadatropin levels, lipids and measures of surrogate markers of vascular function including, blood pressure, flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery, systemic arterial compliance and cutaneous vascular reactivity.


RESULTS
The mean (+/- SEM) age of subjects was 56.4 +/- 2.7 years and the average body mass index at the baseline visit was 27.1 +/- 1.0 kg/m2. Progesterone levels increased as a result of progesterone treatment (0.9 +/- 0.2 to 9.5 +/- 2.3 nmol/l, P = 0.001), whereas follicle-stimulating hormone levels decreased (75.1 +/- 11.4 to 67.6 +/- 10.0, P = 0.001). Systemic arterial compliance, flow mediated dilation, cutaneous vascular reactivity, blood pressure, body mass index, plasma levels of cholesterol, lipids and oestrogen were unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that progesterone given without oestrogen does not adversely affect vascular function in postmenopausal women.
Honisett
Suzy Y
SY
Baker Medical Research Institute, Prahran, Melbourne, Australia.
Pang
Ben
B
Stojanovska
Lily
L
Sudhir
Krishnankutty
K
Komesaroff
Paul A
PA
D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D003187:Compliance / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
D008074:Lipoproteins; D011374:Progesterone