[Effects of sex hormones on serum levels of nitric oxide and plasma angiotensin II in postmenopausal women].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of estrogen and progestin on the blood levels of nitric oxide and angiotensin II in aid of the application of hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
The serum nitric oxide and plasma angiotensin II levels in postmenopausal women were determined before and 3 months after oral intake of estradiol valerate 1 mg/day (n = 10) or estradiol valerate, 1 mg/d plus medroxyprogesterone acetate, 2 mg/d (n = 30).


RESULTS
The serum nitric oxide levels of postmenopausal women were significantly increased by 3 months of oral estradiol valerate 1 mg/d (P < 0.05), whereas the plasma levels of angiotensin II tended to decrease. The positive correlation between the increases of nitric oxide and the changes of estradial 3 months after oral intake of estradiol valerate 1 mg/d was significant. Compared with the baseline, no significant changes were observed in both serum nitric oxide levels and plasma angiotensin II levels 3 months after oral intake of estradiol valerate, 1 mg/d plus medroxyprogesterone acetate, 2 mg/d (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The vascular functions can be improved through increasing the serum nitric oxide level after 3-month oral intake of estradiol valerate, 1 mg/d in postmenopausal women, and estradiol valerate plus medroxyprogesterone acetate intake may attenuate the beneficial effects.
Zheng
Xin
X
Department of Endocrinology, PUMC Hospital, CAMS, PUMC, Beijing 100730, China.
He
Fang-fang
FF
Nie
Min
M
Sun
Mei-li
ML
Ge
Qin-sheng
QS
D000328:Adult; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000097:blood*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood*
D000804:Angiotensin II; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D004958:Estradiol; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate