Effects of hormone therapy and alendronate on C-reactive protein, E-selectin, and sex hormone-binding globulin in osteoporotic women.
OBJECTIVE
C-reactive protein and soluble E-selectin hold promise as surrogate markers for future cardiovascular events. We studied the effects of oral hormone therapy (HT) and alendronate, given alone or together, on these markers and on sex hormone-binding globulin levels in osteoporotic elderly women.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, double-dummy trial.


METHODS
Outpatient department of a university hospital.


METHODS
Ninety osteoporotic women (T score < or =2.5 at the lumbar spine or femoral neck) 65 to 80 years of age.


METHODS
Randomized assignment to 1 year of treatment with estradiol, 2 mg p.o., plus norethisterone acetate, 1 mg (hormone therapy); alendronate, 10 mg; or HT plus alendronate.


METHODS
Serum levels of C-reactive protein, E-selectin, and sex hormone-binding globulin were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.


RESULTS
Hormone therapy significantly increased C-reactive protein levels by 76.5% at 6 months and by 47.1% at 12 months, but reduced E-selectin levels by 24.3% at 6 months and by 30.0% at 12 months. Alendronate had no effect on C-reactive protein or E-selectin and failed to modify the responses of C-reactive protein or E-selectin to hormone therapy. Hormone therapy increased sex hormone-binding globulin levels, whereas alendronate had no effect on this substance.


CONCLUSIONS
The increase in C-reactive protein level in response to oral HT in elderly osteoporotic women may result from stimulated synthesis of C-reactive protein in the liver, whereas the decrease in E-selectin level may reflect a direct effect of HT on endothelial cells. Alendronate has no effect on vascular markers or sex hormone-binding globulin.
Ylikorkala
Olavi
O
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland. olavi.ylikokala@hus.fi
Eviö
Sirpa
S
Välimäki
Matti
M
Tiitinen
Aila
A
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019386:Alendronate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000097:blood*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
D019040:E-Selectin; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D004958:Estradiol; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D009640:Norethindrone; D019386:Alendronate