title: Effects of hormone replacement therapy on the main fatty acids of serum and phospholipids of postmenopausal women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The anti-atherosclerotic effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women are partly mediated by improvement of the lipid and lipoprotein profiles. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of HRT on the main fatty acids of serum and phospholipids in postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum samples of two groups of postmenopausal women, receiving either single oestrogen or in combination with progestogens, were analysed before and after a 6- month treatment period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the main serum fatty acids, there was a significant reduction in palmitic (p < 0.05) and arachidonic acids (p < 0.001), followed by an increase in oleic (p < 0.05) and linoleic acids (p < 0.05) in postmenopausal women receiving HRT compared to single oestrogen. The main fatty acids in phospholipids showed a similar pattern in those women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The above results demonstrate the beneficial effects of HRT in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease through modification of the fatty acid profiles of postmenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Piperi
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tzivras
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kalofoutis
authors.forename: Aikaterini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skenderi
authors.forename: Vasiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Michalaki
authors.forename: Anastasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalofoutis
mesh_terms: D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000494:pharmacology; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008524:Medrogestone / Q000494:pharmacology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood*; D017698:Postmenopause
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D005227:Fatty Acids; D010743:Phospholipids; D008524:Medrogestone