title: Low-dose estradiol and endothelial and inflammatory biomarkers in menopausal overweight/obese women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to investigate the effects of low-dose transdermal estrogen on endothelial and inflammatory biomarkers in menopausal overweight/obese women.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 44 menopausal women (47-55 years; body mass index 27.5-34.9 kg/m(2)) and divided them into estradiol (1 mg/day; n = 22) or placebo groups (n = 22). They were double-blinded, followed and treated for 3 months. At baseline and post-intervention, inflammatory biomarkers (hs-CRP, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1 and TNF-α) and of vascular injury (activated circulating endothelial cells, CEC-a) and repair (endothelial progenitor cells, EPC) were quantified. Resting CECs (CEC-r) were also assessed. Microvascular reactivity and vasomotion were analyzed by laser-Doppler flowmetry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Volunteers (51.8 ± 2.3 years; mean body mass index 31.5 ± 2.5 kg/m(2)) had been menopausal for 3 (range 2-5) years. After treatment, no changes were observed in the placebo group, while levels of CEC-r and EPC increased in the estradiol group. In this group, no changes in inflammatory biomarkers were observed but it required a lower cumulative dose of acetylcholine to achieve peak velocity during endothelial-dependent vasodilatation and there was increased endothelial-independent vasodilatation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The short-term use of low-dose transdermal estradiol therapy in overweight/obese menopausal women increased markers of vascular repair and improved microvascular reactivity without changing the inflammatory biomarkers.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT01295892 at www.clinicaltrials.gov .
authors.affiliation: a Clinical and Experimental Research Laboratory on Vascular Biology , Biomedical Center, State University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil ;
authors.forename: L H A
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: a Clinical and Experimental Research Laboratory on Vascular Biology , Biomedical Center, State University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil ;
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Panazzolo
authors.affiliation: b Angiogenesis and Endothelial Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology , Institute of Biology Roberto Alcântara Gomes, State University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil ;
authors.forename: M Ferreira
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.affiliation: a Clinical and Experimental Research Laboratory on Vascular Biology , Biomedical Center, State University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil ;
authors.forename: M G C
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.affiliation: c Molecular and Cellular Cardiology Laboratory , Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil ;
authors.forename: B Dias
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Paredes
authors.affiliation: d Lipids Laboratory , Policlínica Piquet Carneiro, State University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil ;
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Nogueira Neto
authors.affiliation: e Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Sciences Faculty , State University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: L M C S M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Leão
authors.affiliation: b Angiogenesis and Endothelial Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology , Institute of Biology Roberto Alcântara Gomes, State University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil ;
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Morandi
authors.affiliation: a Clinical and Experimental Research Laboratory on Vascular Biology , Biomedical Center, State University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil ;
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bouskela
authors.affiliation: a Clinical and Experimental Research Laboratory on Vascular Biology , Biomedical Center, State University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil ;|e Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Sciences Faculty , State University of Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Kraemer-Aguiar
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D066026:Endothelial Progenitor Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D055806:Microvessels / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects; D014666:Vasomotor System / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004967:Estrogens; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D004958:Estradiol
keywords: Obesity; atherosclerosis; estradiol; estrogen replacement therapy; menopause