title: Beneficial influence of postmenopausal estrogen therapy on serum adhesion molecules is independent of the route and dose of administration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In current literature, the immune-inflammatory theory of atherosclerosis is widely discussed. The role of how adhesion molecules contribute to the development of atheromatic plaques is especially underlined.
  
  
  METHODS
  120 females in menopausal age were included in the study between 2004 and 2009. All the women were of menopausal age (51±3 years), from southern Poland, with FSH levels above 30 mIU/ml, and complaining of menopausal symptoms that disturbed normal daily activity. The study was conducted over a 6 month period. Three groups of 40 randomized patients were selected. The control group consisted of 40 volunteers, who were also from southern Poland, in good health, without menopausal symptoms, or menstrual periods in the last 6 months. Control subjects were match according to age and weight, with FSH levels above 25 mIU/ml and normal TSH and prolactin values. All patients, in the treatment and control groups were seronegative for Chlamydia pneumonia throughout the duration of the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 6 months, hormonal therapy was found to significantly reduce levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in all treated groups compared to the control group and the results were statistically significant. Alternatively, in the latter group, we observed increased levels of the investigated adhesion molecules (group I: 37.5 µg/24h transdermal estradiol + dydrogesteron; group II 50 µg/24h transdermal estradiol + medroxyprogesteron; group III 1mg of oral estradiol + noretisteron sICAM-1 and control group; using paired Wilcoxon test).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All of the investigated estrogen therapy schemas have a favorable impact on the blood levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in postmenopausal women without cardiovascular risk factors, reducing their concentration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinological Gynecology, Medical College of Jagiellonian University, Cracow University Hospital, Cracow, Poland. yarocek@poczta.onet.pl
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rajtar-Ciosek
authors.forename: Hubert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Huras
authors.forename: Józef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Krzysiek
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reroń
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilczak
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jach
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000097:blood*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002979:Climacteric; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004394:Dydrogesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland; D011372:Progestins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D004967:Estrogens; D006728:Hormones; D008074:Lipoproteins; D011372:Progestins; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D004958:Estradiol; D004394:Dydrogesterone; D002784:Cholesterol; D008525:Medroxyprogesterone