Influence of estrogen therapy on immune markers in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of estrogen therapy on cellular and humoral immune markers in postmenopausal women.


METHODS
This prospective, controlled cohort study included 30 patients who used oral estradiol (1 mg) for 14-17 weeks and 28 patients who served as controls. Total leukocytes and leukocyte subtypes were counted and immunophenotyped by flow cytometry. The concentrations of immunoglobulins and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were also measured in the peripheral blood before and after estrogen therapy. Immunoglobulin E level was measured by electrochemiluminescence, and levels of immunoglobulins A, G, and M were measured by nephelometry. Simultaneous quantification of multiple cytokines was performed by chemiluminescence to measure the serum concentrations of interferon gamma, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17.


RESULTS
Hematological cellular components were not significantly different before and after the use of estradiol (p = 0.332-0.984). Serum concentrations of immunoglobulins G, M, E, and A also remained stable (p = 0.248-0.845). Finally, cytokines were not modified throughout the 14-17 weeks of follow-up (p = 0.407-0.873).


CONCLUSIONS
Isolated estrogen therapy with 1 mg of estradiol for 14-17 weeks in postmenopausal women did not modify any of the cellular or humoral immune markers analyzed in this study.
a Federal University of Mato Grosso, School of Medicine , Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Cuiabá , Brazil.
R M Ribeiro
RM
Itaborahy
a Federal University of Mato Grosso, School of Medicine , Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Cuiabá , Brazil.
S Freitas
SF
de Medeiros
D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000276:immunology*; D011446:Prospective Studies
D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D004967:Estrogens; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D004958:Estradiol
Sex steroids; estrogen therapy; immune response; menopause