title: 1 and 2 mg 17beta-estradiol combined with sequential dydrogesterone have similar effects on the serum lipid profile of postmenopausal women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the effects of 1 and 2 mg 17beta-estradiol on serum lipid profile. Beneficial effects have been clearly established in previous studies with a 2 mg dose; further evidence was required to confirm the beneficial effects of a 1 mg dose.
  
  
  METHODS
  This double-blind, placebo-controlled study involved 579 postmenopausal women randomized to oral treatment with placebo, 1 mg/day 17beta-estradiol sequentially combined with 5 or 10 mg/day dydrogesterone for the last 14 days of each 28-day cycle, or 2 mg/day 17beta-estradiol sequentially combined with 10 or 20 mg/day dydrogesterone for the last 14 days of each 28-day cycle. Treatment was continued for 26 cycles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were significantly (p<0.05) increased after 26 cycles in all active treatment groups compared with placebo. In addition, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and lipoprotein(a) levels were significantly reduced, and apolipoprotein A1 and triglyceride levels were significantly increased, in all active treatment groups after 13 and 26 cycles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study clearly indicate that sequential combinations of either 1 or 2 mg 17beta-estradiol with dydrogesterone are associated with long-term, favorable changes in the serum lipid profile. There was no evidence that dydrogesterone compromised the 17beta-estradiol-induced improvements in lipid profile.
authors.affiliation: National Heart & Lung Division, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Rioux
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Komer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gelfand
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D001054:Apolipoproteins A / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004394:Dydrogesterone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001054:Apolipoproteins A; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D004958:Estradiol; D004394:Dydrogesterone