Effect of ultra-low-dose estradiol and dydrogesterone on arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women

• Published in: Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society Vol. 17; no. 2; pp. 191 - 196
• Main Authors: Matsui, S., Yasui, T., Tani, A., Kato, T., Uemura, H., Kuwahara, A., Matsuzaki, T., Arisawa, K., Irahara, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa Healthcare 01-04-2014; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; ARTERIAL STIFFNESS; Blood pressure; Bone density; Cardiovascular disease; Cholesterol - blood; Cholesterol, HDL - blood; Cholesterol, LDL - blood; Coronary Artery Disease - blood; Coronary Artery Disease - drug therapy; Coronary Artery Disease - physiopathology; Drug Therapy, Combination; Dydrogesterone - administration & dosage; Estradiol - administration & dosage; Estrogen Replacement Therapy; Female; Homeostasis; Hormone replacement therapy; Humans; Middle Aged; Postmenopause; PULSE WAVE VELOCITY; Risk assessment; Treatment Outcome; Triglycerides - blood; ULTRA-LOW-DOSE ESTRADIOL; Womens health
• ISSN: 1369-7137; 1473-0804
• DOI: 10.3109/13697137.2013.856399

Abstract
Background Ultra-low-dose estradiol is known to improve menopausal symptoms and increase bone mineral density. However, the effect of ultra-low-dose estradiol on vascular function has not been clarified.
Objectives We examined the effects of ultra-low-dose estradiol on brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and circulating markers of cardiovascular risk.
Patients and methods Twenty-eight postmenopausal women were enrolled in this study. Fourteen women received oral estradiol (0.5 mg) and dydrogesterone (5 mg) every day for 12 months (ultra-low-dose group) as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and 14 women as a control group did not receive HRT. The baPWV, lipid profiles, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and vascular inflammatory markers were measured.
Results The baPWV level significantly decreased in the ultra-low-dose group (p = 0.037), while the baPWV level did not significantly change in the control group. HOMA-IR tended to decrease in the ultra-low-dose group (p = 0.076). Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure did not change significantly in either group.
Conclusion An HRT regimen using oral ultra-low-dose estradiol and dydrogesterone has an effect on arterial stiffness and insulin resistance.