title: Analysis of the influence of hormone replacement therapy on TNF-alpha serum levels in menopausal women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to investigate and compare levels of TNF-α in serum of menopausal women treated and not treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was designed to verify whether there is a correlation between the concentrations of this cytokine and bone mineral density (BMD).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out on a group of 60 women during menopause - 30 untreated (control group) and 30 treated with HRT (study group). Half of the patients were after natural menopause and the other half were after ovariectomy. Blood samples were collected. Densitometry was conducted on the vertebral column. To evaluate the results of densitometric examination the T-score index was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The T-score index of the control group reached values below -2. T-score results for the study group were significantly higher than in the control group. Hormone replacement therapy used by women from the study group caused a decrease in the TNF content in serum, compared with the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Beneficial effects of HRT on bone tissue may be exerted through decreased concentration of TNF-α in serum. The use of HRT allows constant bone mineral density to be maintained, which leads to prevention of osteoporotic changes.
authors.affiliation: The Chair and Department of Oral Surgery, Medical University of Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Mansur
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rahnama
authors.forename: Izabela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jamrogiewicz
authors.forename: Rafał
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jamrogiewicz
mesh_terms: D030161:Avian Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000097:blood* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D030161:Avian Proteins; D016207:Cytokines; C071280:EMF-1 protein, Gallus gallus; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha