Toremifene use does not alter serum inhibin A and B levels during mid-luteal phase in women with premenstrual mastalgia.
OBJECTIVE
To find out if there is any link between the therapeutic effect of toremifene on premenstrual mastalgia and luteal phase serum inhibin A and/or B levels.


METHODS
Forty-eight patients participating in a randomized cross-over trial on toremifene vs. placebo for premenstrual mastalgia gave three blood samples during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle: the first at baseline, the second during the third toremifene/placebo cycle, and the third during the third placebo/toremifene cycle, respectively. The blood samples were analyzed for inhibin A and B with respective specific two-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Toremifene (20 mg/d) and placebo were administered during the luteal phase only.


RESULTS
When all the toremifene-treated cycles were compared with all the placebo cycles and with the baseline, the median inhibin A levels were 42, 38, and 40 pg/ml, respectively (baseline versus toremifene, p = 0.638; baseline versus placebo, p = 0.468; and toremifene versus placebo, p = 0.365). The median inhibin B levels were at baseline 19 ng/l, during placebo 20 ng/l, and during toremifene 17 ng/l (baseline versus toremifene, p = 0.983; baseline versus placebo, p = 0.519; and toremifene versus placebo, p = 0.880).


CONCLUSIONS
A luteal administration of toremifene does not seem to result in any changes in mid-luteal concentrations of inhibin A or B in serum.
Oksa
Sinikka
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Satakunta Central Hospital, Pori, Finland.
Luukkaala
Tiina
T
Mäenpää
Johanna U
JU
D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017312:Toremifene / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; C422362:inhibin A; C422364:inhibin B; D007265:Inhibins; D017312:Toremifene