Effects of intranasal 17beta-estradiol and raloxifene on lipid profile and fibrinogen in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of 17beta-estradiol given intranasally (intranasal E2) and raloxifene on serum lipid profile and fibrinogen in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 46 women after menopause. The placebo group (n = 11) was given calcium, while the intervention groups were given intranasal E2 (Aerodiol; Servier, Chambray-les-Tours, France) (n = 16) or raloxifene (Evista; Lilly SA, Madrid, Spain) (n = 19). Blood lipids and fibrinogen were compared between groups at baseline and after 3 months of treatment.


RESULTS
The group receiving intranasal E2 showed a significant decrease in triglyceride levels (p<0.05) and a marked increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (p<0.05). No changes in lipid profile were observed in the raloxifene and placebo groups. Raloxifene caused a significant decrease in fibrinogen levels (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Intranasal E2 exerts significant effects on lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women. Raloxifene has a greater impact on fibrinogen than intranasal E2 application.
Engin-Ustün
Yaprak
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey. ustunyaprak@yahoo.com
Ustün
Yusuf
Y
Meydanli
M Mutlu
MM
Kafkasli
Ayşe
A
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
D008055:Lipids; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride; D004958:Estradiol; D005340:Fibrinogen