Effects of tibolone on blood flow resistance and intima-media thickness of the carotid arteries: effect of time since menopause.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the effects of tibolone on carotid atherosclerosis in healthy postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Twenty-five healthy postmenopausal women were included in the study. Patients received tibolone 2.5 mg daily for 6 months. Resistance indices of the common carotid artery (CCA), internal carotid artery (ICA), external carotid artery (ECA) and vertebral arteries, and intima-media thickness of the CCA were measured both at baseline and at the end of the study with ultrasonography.


RESULTS
No significant differences were observed in the resistance indices of the CCA, ICA, ECA and vertebral arteries, as well as intima-media thickness of CCA at 6 months in comparison with baseline. Tibolone significantly improved the intima-media thickness of the CCA of women who were less than 18 months since menopause.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, these results demonstrate no significant effects of tibolone on either intima-media thickness or blood flow resistance in the carotid arteries in postmenopausal women. However, the results suggest that tibolone may have a positive effect on the vascular system if commenced within 18 months since menopause; this warrants further investigation.
Somunkiran
A
A
Abant Izzet Baysal University, Duzce Medical School, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konuralp, Duzce, Turkey.
Yazici
B
B
Demirci
F
F
Erdogmus
B
B
Ozdemir
I
I
D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects*; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D009652:Norpregnenes; D014280:Triglycerides; C027385:tibolone