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| Authors | Y Muscat Baron R Galea M P Brincat G Buttigieg |
| Abstract | Objective: to assess the effect of the menopause on metabolic risk factors which may influence atheroma formation. Methods: A small prospective trial was performed on 29 postmenopausal women who had undergone a hysterectomy and salpingoophorectomy. Baseline metabolic profiles were taken 3 months after the operation and following this washout period, transdermal oestrogen (50um 17-b oestradiol) was administered. After 6 months of treatment, the metabolic profile was repeated. Results: Although the serum cholesterol did not decline significantly (- 4.4%), a significant decrease of 19% was noted in the serum triglycerides. A similar drop was noted in the very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), however the larger molecule low density lipoproteins (LDL) decreased by only 2.7%. Correlating with the decline in the very low density lipoproteins the apolipoprotein B decreased by 12.7%. A non-significant rise of 4.2% in the high density lipoproteins was obtained after six months of transdermal therapy. However the cardio-protective HDL2 subfraction rose significantly by 27% Congruent with HDL nonsignificant change, the apolipoprotein A1 remained unchanged. Conclusion: The above results indicate the favourable changes are obtained in the lipoprotein profile with the administration of transdermal oestrogen to postmenopausal women. Triglycerides and very low density lipoproteins which are relevant to cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women decreased significantly. Moreover, the HDL2 subfraction which is cardio-protective in this group of women increased. The fibrinolytic system as represented by the anti-thrombin III and the renin activity remained constant. These findings confirm the beneficial effect of transdermal oestrogen on the metabolic profile of postmenopausal women. |
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| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
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| Key words | hormone replacement therapy, menopause, lipid profile |