Effects of long-term transdermal hormone replacement therapy on the renin-angiotensin- aldosterone system, plasma bradykinin levels and blood pressure in normotensive postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to investigate the effects of 24-month long-term transdermal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the circulating levels of components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and bradykinin, blood pressure (BP) and lipid profile in normotensive postmenopausal women (PMW).


METHODS
Twenty-two normotensive PMW were randomized to receive transdermal HRT (continuous 17-beta estradiol patch at 36 microg/day plus cyclic oral medroxyprogesterone acetate 2.5 mg/day for 12 days/month) (n = 12) or control (n = 10). The plasma renin activity (PRA), serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, plasma angiotensin (Ang) I, Ang II, aldosterone, bradykinin, and BP were measured before, and 12 and 24 months after, the start of the HRT.


RESULTS
In the HRT group, the diastolic BP and mean BP were significantly decreased at 12 and 24 months (both P < 0.05) after the start of therapy, however, no significant change of the systolic BP was noted during the study period. No changes in the RAAS components or lipid profile were noted in either group. The plasma bradykinin levels were significantly reduced at 12 (P < 0.05) and 24 months (P < 0.01), while no changes were observed in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
More than 12 months of long-term transdermal HRT kept diastolic BP, mean BP and plasma bradykinin levels decreased in normotensive PMW, without influencing any of the components of the RAAS. This therapy may allow optimal blood pressure control and prevent elevation of the cardiovascular risk.
Ichikawa
Akiko
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Kidney Center, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo. perfu@tkf.att.ne.jp
Sumino
Hiroyuki
H
Ogawa
Tetsuya
T
Ichikawa
Shuichi
S
Nitta
Kosaku
K
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D001920:Bradykinin / Q000097:blood*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects*
D004958:Estradiol; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; D001920:Bradykinin