Effects of hormone replacement therapy on insulin resistance and platelet function tests.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate measures of insulin resistance and platelet function in postmenopausal women with oral or transdermal hormone replacement therapy (HRT).


METHODS
Eighty women divided into four groups of 20 each were enrolled in the study. Group 1: postmenopausal hysterectomized women who received only transdermal estradiol (13.9 mg/12.5 cm(2)); group 2: women with intact uterus who were treated with estrogen-progestin combination (HRT); group 3: postmenopausal women who were treated with the selective estrogen receptor modulator tibolone, and group 4: women who were not taking any drugs for HRT were chosen as a control group (group 4).


RESULTS
In group 2, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and fasting insulin levels were 2.90 +/- 0.37 and 9.3 +/- 3.0 microU/ml, respectively, prior to administration of HRT. These levels were reduced to 1.91 +/- 0.41 (p = 0.001) and 7.1 +/- 2.7 microU/ml (p = 0.002), respectively, after drug therapy. Mean levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were decreased with HRT only in group 2 (p = 0.002). No changes for biochemical and hematological parameters were observed in the other groups. Platelet function tests showed no differences after HRT in any group.


CONCLUSIONS
Estrogen-progestin combination HRT decreased measures of insulin resistance and hsCRP levels, but had no effect on platelet function tests in postmenopausal women.
Saraç
Fulden
F
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ege University Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. fuldensarac@yahoo.com
Saydam
Güray
G
Sahin
Fahri
F
Oztekin
Kemal
K
Saygili
Fusun
F
Tüzün
Mehmet
M
Yilmaz
Candeger
C
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D010979:Platelet Function Tests; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology; D014421:Turkey
D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D004967:Estrogens; D009652:Norpregnenes; D004958:Estradiol; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; C027385:tibolone