Effect of transdermal hormone replacement therapy on the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 concentrations and other vascular inflammatory markers and on endothelial function in postmenopausal women.
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is related to the progression of atherosclerosis. However, little is known about the effects of transdermal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on circulating MCP-1, vascular inflammatory marker concentrations, and endothelial function in postmenopausal women. The effects of transdermal HRT on circulating MCP-1, vascular inflammatory marker concentrations, and endothelium-dependent vasodilation were investigated in postmenopausal women. Thirty-three women received transdermal HRT (continuous 17-beta estradiol patch 36 microg/day plus cyclic oral medroxyprogesterone acetate 2.5 mg/day for 12 days/month) for 12 months, and 27 control patients did not. Brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), assessed by ultrasound, and circulating MCP-1 and vascular inflammatory marker (C-reactive protein, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [ICAM-1], vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 [VCAM-1], and E-selectin) concentrations were measured before and after 12 months of treatment. In the HRT group, MCP-1 concentrations decreased significantly (p <0.001), and ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin concentrations decreased significantly (p <0.01 for all), but C-reactive protein concentrations did not change. MCP-1 and other marker concentrations did not change in the control group. FMD increased significantly in the HRT group (p <0.001) but did not change in the control group. Nitroglycerin-induced vasodilation did not change in either group. In conclusion, transdermal HRT decreased MCP-1 and cell adhesion molecule concentrations and improved endothelial function in postmenopausal women. Transdermal HRT may exert an antiatherosclerotic effect by improving MCP-1 and cell adhesion molecule expression and endothelial function.
Department of Medicine and Biological Science, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan. suminoh@med.gunma-u.ac.jp
Hiroyuki
H
Sumino
Shuichi
S
Ichikawa
Yoshio
Y
Ohyama
Takashi
T
Takahashi
Yuichiro
Y
Saito
Tetsuya
T
Nakamura
Tsugiyasu
T
Kanda
Masahiko
M
Kurabayashi
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000097:blood*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D014664:Vasodilation
D015415:Biomarkers; D018932:Chemokine CCL2