Effect of hormone therapy and raloxifene on serum VE-cadherin in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of continuous combined hormone therapy and raloxifene on serum VE-cadherin.


METHODS
The study was double blinded, with a placebo run-in period of 28-50 days.


METHODS
University menopause clinic.


METHODS
Twenty-eight healthy postmenopausal women devoid of climacteric complaints.


METHODS
Subjects were randomized to 17beta-estradiol (2 mg) + norethisterone acetate (1 mg; E(2)-NETA) or raloxifene hCL (60 mg) for a period of 6 months.


METHODS
Serum VE-cadherin, which was estimated at baseline and at month 6.


RESULTS
Serum VE-cadherin decreased significantly in both E(2)-NETA and raloxifene groups (raloxifene baseline +/- SD: 1.17 +/- 0.44 ng/mL, 6 months: 0.82 +/- 0.29 ng/mL; E(2)-NETA baseline: 1.19 +/- 0.47 ng/mL, 6 months: 0.92 +/- 0.49 ng/mL). Percentage changes from baseline were -21.7 +/- 24.3 for E(2)-NETA and -26.0 +/- 20.6 for raloxifene.


CONCLUSIONS
The effect of E(2)-NETA and raloxifene suggests that these drugs may preserve interendothelial junction integrity and control vascular permeability. Although this effect may influence the progress of the atheromatous lesion, its clinical impact on coronary artery disease (CAD) remains uncertain.
Christodoulakos
George
G
Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Aretaieion Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Lambrinoudaki
Irene
I
Panoulis
Constantinos
C
Papadias
Constantinos
C
Economou
Emmanuel
E
Creatsas
George
G
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015820:Cadherins / Q000097:blood*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000099152:Cadherin 5
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015820:Cadherins; D004958:Estradiol; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D010919:Placebos; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride; D000099152:Cadherin 5