Differential effects of unopposed versus opposed hormone therapy, tibolone, and raloxifene on substance p levels.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of unopposed therapy (conjugated equine estrogens [CEE]) vs. opposed therapy (CEE and medroxyprogesterone acetate), tibolone, and raloxifene on serum substance p levels.


METHODS
Clinical study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
One hundred eight postmenopausal women were assigned to four treatment groups: unopposed hormone therapy (HT) (n = 30), opposed HT (n = 48), tibolone (n = 18), and raloxifene (n = 12).


METHODS
Conjugated equine estrogens, CEE and medroxyprogesterone acetate, tibolone, and raloxifene were administered orally; blood samples were collected before therapy and 3 months after.


METHODS
Serum substance p levels were measured before and at the end of the third month of the treatment.The serum substance p levels were increased in the unopposed HT group after treatment. On the contrary, substance p levels were decreased in the opposed HT group, in the tibolone group, and in the raloxifene group.


CONCLUSIONS
Addition of progesterone (P) to estrogen (E) treatment significantly decreases serum substance p levels. Tibolone and raloxifene exert the same effect.
Kukuvitis
Asterios
A
Fourth Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Kourtis
Anargyros
A
Papaiconomou
Nikodimos
N
Zournatzi
Vassiliki
V
Makedos
Georgios
G
Panidis
Dimitrios
D
D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045167:Progesterone Congeners / Q000494:pharmacology; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D013373:Substance P / Q000097:blood*
D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D009652:Norpregnenes; D045167:Progesterone Congeners; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D013373:Substance P; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; C027385:tibolone