Transdermal estradiol does not impair hemostatic biomarkers in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of transdermal estradiol therapy (ET) on coagulation and fibrinolysis markers in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Prospective open trial study in 59 healthy hysterectomized postmenopausal women. Thirty women received transdermal ET (50 microg per day) during 3 months and 29 women formed the untreated arm.


RESULTS
Baseline factor VII-tissue factor complex (VIIa-rTF), fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels decreased significantly (P < 0.01) after therapy. In contrast, tissue-type plasminogen activator antigen (t-PA) levels increased significantly (P < 0.01). After ET, there was no difference in protein C activity (PC), protein S activity (PS), plasminogen (PLG), and antithrombin III (ATIII) levels. None of participants reported thromboembolic events.


CONCLUSIONS
ET elicited a decrement in blood biomarkers implicated in coagulation activation which in turn seemed to improve fibrinolytic activity. These results suggest that transdermal route does not impair thrombotic risk.
Martínez
Carlos
C
Endocrine Research Unit, Centro Medico Nacional, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, and Thrombosis and Hemostatic Unit, Hospital de México, Agrarismo 208-601, México DF 11800, Mexico.
Basurto
Lourdes
L
Zárate
Arturo
A
Saucedo
Renata
R
Gaminio
Elizabeth
E
Collazo
Juan
J
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D019774:Blood Coagulation Factor Inhibitors / Q000097:blood*; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000032:analysis; D017698:Postmenopause; D011446:Prospective Studies
D015415:Biomarkers; D019774:Blood Coagulation Factor Inhibitors; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D004958:Estradiol; D010958:Plasminogen; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone