title: Effects of raloxifene, one of the selective estrogen receptor modulators, on pituitary-ovary axis and prolactin in postmenopausal women.
abstract: To investigate the clinical effects of raloxifene, one of the selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), on the pituitary-ovary axis and prolactin, a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study on 59 healthy postmenopausal women was performed. Forty-eight women received raloxifene 60 mg daily. The other 11 received combined conjugated equine estrogen 0.625 mg and medroxyprogesterone acetate 5 mg daily (CCEP) as active controls. Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and pro-lactin were measured at baseline and 1 yr after treatment. The mean levels of FSH and LH were significantly decreased in the raloxifene group (FSH: -10.7%; p < 0.01, LH: -10.3%; p < 0.05) and CCEP group (FSH: -53.7%, p < 0.001; LH: -46.8%, p < 0.001). The prolactin level decreased in the raloxifene group but not in the CCEP group (-17.0%; p < 0.001 vs +13.3%, p = no significance; NS). Consequently, long-term administration of raloxifene up to 1 yr decreases serum prolactin level significantly and may be a therapeutic alternative for postmenopausal osteoporotic women with hyperprolactinemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wern-Cherng
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Men-Lu
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.forename: Sandy H J
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Kuang-Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Keh-Sung
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects*; D017698:Postmenopause; D011388:Prolactin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood*; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride; D004958:Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate