Effects of Premarin and Utrogestan on Serum Lipoprotein Levels in Postmenopausal Women: A Prospective One-Year Study

Abstract

Thirty-two postmenopausal woman were included in the present investigation. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with a cyclic-and- sequential regimen of Premarin 0.625 mg/day and Utrogestan 200 mg/day was conducted for 12 cycles (four weeks per cycle). Premarin was used in the first three weeks and Utrogestan was used in the second and third week of the cycle. Blood samples were collected before treatment and at the end of sixth cycle and 12th cycle of treatment to measure liver function profiles, serum follicle-stimulating harmone ( FSH), luteinizing hormone( LH), estradiol, and lipoprotein concentrations. At the end of the sixth cycle of treatment , hypothalamic pituitary function was suppressed partially, as manifested by a significant decrease in mean serum concentration of FSH. Meanwhile, the serum concentration of estradiol showed to be markedly increased. At the end of the 12th cycle of treatment , the serum concentration of total cholesterol was markedly decreased by 7 %. The serum concentration of low- density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was significantly decreased 19.5%. On the other hand, the serum concentration of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol had significantly increased up to 16.5%. Calculation of the percentage change in the various paramenters of lipid mtabolism showed a clear time-response relationship of hormone therapy. In conclusion, cyclic- and -sequential estrogen-progestin users appear to be protected against cardiovascular disease by the increase in HDL cholesterol and decreases in LDL cholesterol after 12- month HRT. Thus, we would anticipate that estrogen- progestin could provide cardiovacular benefits to postmenopausal women.# 1465#