Effects of nonoral estradiol-micronized progesterone or low-dose oral estradiol-drospirenone therapy on metabolic variables and markers of endothelial function in early postmenopause.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of low-dose oral hormone therapy and nonoral hormone therapy on endothelial function markers and on anthropometric, metabolic, and hormonal variables in early postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Cross-over, randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Gynecological Endocrinology Unit.


METHODS
Healthy postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Twenty patients received oral E(2) 1 mg plus drospirenone 2 mg/d for 2 months. Another group of 20 patients received 3 mg/d 17beta intranasal E(2), and then 200 mg/d vaginal micronized P for 14 days during two 28-day cycles. At the end of this period, the patients were crossed over for another 2 months.


METHODS
Endothelial function markers and anthropometric, metabolic, and hormonal variables before and after hormone therapy.


RESULTS
Mean age was 51.2 +/- 2.7 years. Mean time since menopause was 23.1 +/- 10 months. After low-dose treatment, a reduction in waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol was observed. Triglycerides and von Willebrand factor levels decreased significantly with nonoral treatment. Fasting glucose and insulin levels did not change. In both groups, total and non-high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased below basal levels, and endothelin-1, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein levels remained unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
Neither treatment induced deleterious effects in the short term on variables related to cardiovascular risk in early postmenopausal women.
Casanova
Gislaine
G
Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Radavelli
Simone
S
Lhullier
Francisco
F
Spritzer
Poli Mara
PM
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000736:Androstenes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000736:Androstenes; D016207:Cytokines; C534342:drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol combination; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol