title: What is the influence of hormone therapy on homocysteine and crp levels in postmenopausal women?
abstract: To evaluate the influence of estrogen therapy and estrogen-progestin therapy on homocysteine and C-reactive protein levels in postmenopausal women.
  
  
  
  In total, 99 postmenopausal women were included in this double-blind, randomized clinical trial and divided into three groups: Group A used estrogen therapy alone (2.0 mg of 17β-estradiol), Group B received estrogen-progestin therapy (2.0 mg of 17 β-estradiol +1.0 mg of norethisterone acetate) and Group C received a placebo (control). The length of treatment was six months. Serum measurements of homocysteine and C-reactive protein were carried out prior to the onset of treatment and following six months of therapy.
  
  
  
  After six months of treatment, there was a 20.7% reduction in homocysteine levels and a 100.5% increase in C-reactive protein levels in the group of women who used estrogen therapy. With respect to the estrogen-progestin group, there was a 12.2% decrease in homocysteine levels and a 93.5% increase in C-reactive protein levels.
  
  
  
  Our data suggested that hormone therapy (unopposed estrogen or estrogen associated with progestin) may have a positive influence on decreasing cardiovascular risk due to a significant reduction in homocysteine levels.
authors: Federal University of São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Department of Gynecology, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
authors: Eli Marcelo
authors: EM
authors: Lakryc
authors: Federal University of São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Department of Gynecology, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
authors: Rogério Bonassi
authors: RB
authors: Machado
authors: Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Disciplina de Ginecologia, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
authors: José Maria
authors: JM
authors: Soares
authors: César Eduardo
authors: CE
authors: Fernandes
authors: Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Disciplina de Ginecologia, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
authors: Edmund Chada
authors: EC
authors: Baracat
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001938:Brazil; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood*; D011372:Progestins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D004967:Estrogens; D011372:Progestins; D006710:Homocysteine; D004958:Estradiol; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D009640:Norethindrone