Effects of raloxifene on brachial arterial endothelial function, carotid wall thickness, and arterial stiffness in osteoporotic postmenopausal women.
The beneficial effects of raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, on cardiovascular risks and events have been investigated. Brachial arterial flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and pulse wave velocity (PWV) have been widely used in clinical settings as surrogate markers of atherosclerosis. This study investigated the simultaneous effects of raloxifene on brachial arterial FMD, carotid IMT, and PWV in osteoporotic postmenopausal women. A total of 31 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia were divided into 2 groups: a raloxifene group (n = 15; mean age +/- SD, 66.1 +/- 8.2 years) was treated with raloxifene hydrochloride (60 mg/day) orally for 12 months, and an untreated control group (n = 16; 64.1 +/- 7.8 years). Brachial arterial FMD, carotid IMT, and brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) were measured at baseline and at 12 months after the start of the study. The brachial arterial FMD increased significantly, from 4.5 +/- 1.8% to 9.2 +/- 3.0%, in the raloxifene group (P < 0.01) but did not change in the control group. Nitroglycerin-induced vasodilatation did not change in either group. The carotid IMT decreased significantly, from 0.82 +/- 0.15 mm to 0.72 +/- 0.11 mm, in the raloxifene group (P < 0.01) but did not change in the control group. The baPWV did not change in either group. In conclusion, raloxifene may have beneficial effects on brachial arterial endothelial function and carotid wall thickness in osteoporotic postmenopausal women.
Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Takasaki University of Health and Welfare.
Hiroyuki
H
Sumino
Shuichi
S
Ichikawa
Shu
S
Kasama
Takashi
T
Takahashi
Hironosuke
H
Sakamoto
Akira
A
Koizumi
Hiroyoshi
H
Kanai
Yoshihiro
Y
Araki
Toshio
T
Itoh
Toshiya
T
Iwasaki
Yoshie
Y
Sawada
Yuichiro
Y
Saito
Hisao
H
Kumakura
Yoshiaki
Y
Takayama
Tsugiyasu
T
Kanda
Masami
M
Murakami
Tetsuo
T
Sakamaki
Masahiko
M
Kurabayashi
D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000187:drug effects; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000187:drug effects; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011674:Pulse; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride; D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone