title: Low-dose estrogen and drospirenone combination: effects on metabolism and endothelial function in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Metabolic syndrome and endothelial dysfunction play a relevant role in the cardiovascular risk in post-menopause. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of a low-dose hemihydrate estradiol and drospirenone combination on cardiovascular risk parameters in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight healthy women (group A) and 28 women with metabolic syndrome (group B) were treated with hemihydrate estradiol one mg + drospirenone two mg. At recruitment and after six months, clinical and laboratory parameters of metabolic syndrome were evaluated. Endothelial function was assessed measuring the flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery and the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After six months an overall improvement of metabolism was observed in both groups reaching statistical significance for triglycerides, total cholesterolemia, and systolic pressure in group B. A trend to lower baseline flow-mediated dilatation was also found in group B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Drospirenone improves cardiovascular risk factors and does not impair endothelial function in menopausal women with metabolic syndrome.
authors: Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Sciences, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: De Franciscis
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Mainini
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Labriola
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Leo
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Santangelo
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Luisi
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Russo
authors: F V
authors: FV
authors: Cerreto
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Ambrosio
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Torella
mesh_terms: D000736:Androstenes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000503:physiopathology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000473:pathology; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014664:Vasodilation
chemical_list: D000736:Androstenes; D004967:Estrogens; D014280:Triglycerides; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D002784:Cholesterol; C035144:drospirenone