Raloxifene slows down the progression of intima-media thickness in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of raloxifene on atherosclerosis progression in healthy postmenopausal women.


METHODS
In a prospective fashion, a total of 155 healthy postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to receive raloxifene 60 mg/day or a matching placebo for 18 months. Atherosclerosis progression was evaluated by B-mode ultrasonography measuring the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid arteries. Plasma levels of triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, soluble forms of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, adiponectin, and the degree of insulin resistance by the homeostatic model assessment method were also determined.


RESULTS
The progression slope of carotid IMT was 0.0112 mm/18 months in the raloxifene group and 0.0857 mm/18 months in the placebo group (P<0.004). Raloxifene treatment compared with placebo produced a significant decrease in plasma triglycerides (P<0.02), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P<0.02), soluble forms of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (P<0.005) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (P<0.04), E-selectin (P<0.02), interleukin-6 (P<0.005), tumor necrosis factor alpha (P<0.005) levels, and homeostatic model assessment index (P<0.005) and a significant increase in plasma adiponectin levels (P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that women receiving raloxifene had a lower risk of IMT progression (odds ratio=0.41; 95% CI: 0.32-0.70).


CONCLUSIONS
Raloxifene treatment, possibly through an increase in plasma adiponectin levels, may slow the progression of IMT in postmenopausal women.
Colacurci
Nicola
N
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Neonatology, School of Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. nicola.colacurci@unina2.it
Fornaro
Felice
F
Cobellis
Luigi
L
De Franciscis
Pasquale
P
Torella
Marco
M
Sepe
Elena
E
Arciello
Alessandro
A
Cacciapuoti
Federico
F
Paolisso
Giuseppe
G
Manzella
Daniela
D
D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000517:prevention & control; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy; D017698:Postmenopause; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects; D014463:Ultrasonography; D016387:Women's Health
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride