title: Effects of oestrogen replacement therapy on serum C-reactive protein levels in hysterectomised women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been hypothesised that oral oestrogen replacement therapy may increase levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation associated with increased risk of future cardiovascular events. However, it is possible that intranasal oestrogen replacement therapy have different effects on serum CRP levels.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of postmenopausal intranasal oestrogen replacement therapy on serum levels of CRP. A prospective comparative study was carried out.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-nine healthy hysterectomised, postmenopausal women received 300 micro g/day of intranasal 17beta-oestradiol (E2). The serum levels of CRP after 3 and 6 months after starting treatment were compared with baseline values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant changes in the values of CRP after 3 and 6 months of treatment (P = 0.305, P = 0.149, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data from the present study suggest that intranasal administration of E2 does not affect CRP levels, possibly by avoiding a hepatic first-pass effect. The possible cardiovascular protective role of intranasal oestrogen might be related to its effect of not increasing CRP levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kahramanmaras Sutcuimam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey. gurkankiran@ksu.edu.tr
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kiran
authors.forename: Gurkan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kiran
authors.forename: Hasan C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Ekerbicer
authors.forename: Alanur M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Guven
authors.forename: Metin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kilinc
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000187:drug effects*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D004958:Estradiol; D002097:C-Reactive Protein