绝经妇女绝经年限与性激素水平血脂及血流变之间关系的分析

目的研究绝经妇女绝经年限与性激素、血脂及血液流变学各项指标之间的关系。方法随机选择绝经期妇女125例 ,根据绝经年限的长短 ,分组如下 :A组(1～5年 ) ,30例 ,年龄(48.5±3 .1)岁 ,B组 (6～10年 ) ,37例 ,年龄(58 .5±4 .1)岁 ,C组 (11～15年 ) ,38例 ,年龄(65 .2±3 .7)岁 ,D组 (16～20年 ) ,10例 ,年龄(68±4 .7)岁 ,E组 (>20年 ) ,10例 ,年龄(70 .8±3 .6)岁。测定各组妇女血脂、内分泌激素及血液流变学指标。结果(1)随着绝经年限的增加 ,女性血脂有升高的趋势。(2)绝经妇女雌激素水平随绝经年限的增加而逐渐降低 ,促黄体生成素和促卵泡生成素则呈先逐渐升高然后逐渐降低。(3)绝经妇女大多数血液流变学指标处于异常状态 ,其中血浆粘度随绝经年限的增加有升高的趋势 ,血沉和K值等指标的变化则表现为先下降 ,然后逐步升高。结论妇女绝经年限的长短决定了绝经妇女性激素、血脂水平和血液流变学指标的异常程度 ,绝经年限越长 ,上述指标的异常程度越显著     

绝经妇女促性腺激素和血脂水平与红细胞流变性的变化特点

目的观察绝经期妇女性激素和血脂水平与红细胞流变性的变化特点。方法选择围绝经期妇女进行性激素、血脂、红细胞流变性的测定。结果 (1)在女性刚进入更年期阶段 (40～50岁 ) ,血脂水平及雌激素水平尚在正常范围内 ,随着年龄的增加(51岁以后 ) ,血脂水平逐渐升高 ,雌激素水平则逐渐降低 ,促黄体生成素和促卵泡生成素则呈先逐渐升高然后逐渐降低。(2)绝经妇女大多数血液流变学指标处于异常状态 ,但随着年龄的增加 (61岁以后 ) ,绝经妇女红细胞聚集指数、刚性指数、变形指数等指标更加异常。结论女性进入绝经期后 ,其血脂水平和雌激素水平 ,以及红细胞流变学等逐渐发生异常改变。维持绝经后妇女雌激素水平 ,对降低绝经后妇女冠心病的发病率和死亡率可能十分有益     

长期口服避孕药妇女血液流变性变化的探讨

目的 :探讨长期口服避孕药 (ＯＣ)对妇女血液流变学变化的影响。方法 :测定长期口服ＯＣ妇女及对照组妇女各 5 0例的血液流变学检测值。结果 :ＯＣ组妇女在全血高切 (15 0ｓ-1)粘度、Ｋ值、血栓长度 (Ｌ)、湿重 (ＭＷ )与对照组相比有显著性差异 (Ｐ <0 .0 1)。血液流变学指标与口服ＯＣ时间的长短经方差分析 ,Ｌ与纤维蛋白原有显著性差异 ,而与ＯＣ妇女年龄的大小经方差分析无显著性差异。结论 :长期口服ＯＣ对妇女的血液流变性有一定的影响 ,且与口服ＯＣ年限的长短有关。长期口服避孕药妇女血液流变性变化的探讨@丁福荣$江苏省南京市妇幼…     

促性腺激素紊乱性闭经妇女体重指数与血液流变性的变化

目的研究促性腺激素（Ｇｎ）紊乱性闭经妇女的体重指数与其血液流变学指标的变化。方法随机选择符合高Ｇｎ闭经诊断的闭经妇女２９例（Ⅰ组）和低Ｇｎ闭经诊断的闭经妇女３４例（Ⅰ组）,根据体重指数（ＢＭＩ）的不同（ＢＭＩ＜２５,ＢＭＩＣ３０,ＢＭＩ≥３０）, Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组又各分为 ａ,ｂ,ｃ三小组。另选择正常妇女 ２５例（Ⅲ组）．该组 ＢＭＩ均＜２５。ＢＭＩ的计算公式为：体重／身高~２．单位： ｋｇ／ｍ~２。血流变测定指标包括全血高切粘度（１４０５~（－１））、全血低切粘度（３０５~（－１））、血浆粘度（１４０５~（－１））、血沉、血球压积、血沉方程Ｋ值、全血还原粘度、纤维蛋白原、体外血栓长度、体外血栓湿重等。结果（１）各组闭经妇女的血液流变学指标多数处于异常状态;（２）重度肥胖体型患者的血液流变学指标与正常体型闭经妇女相比,多数指标处于更显著的异常状态。结论促性腺激素紊乱性闭经妇女的体重超重时其血液流变学指标处于严重的异常状态。     

502例中老年血瘀证患者血脂与体外血栓形成指标的检测

血 瘀证患者出现血液循环障碍 ,血液动力学及血液流变行为异常[1～ 3 ] ,已众所周知。我们在此前观察了 5 0 2例中老年血瘀证患者的血液流变学 10项指标 ,结果表明血液呈高度粘、稠、浓、聚、凝状态[4,5] ,今又观察了本组患者血脂水平和体外血栓形成指标 ,并就其之间的关系作了探讨。1　资料与方法1.1　一般资料本研究分三组 :( 1) 5 0 2例中老年血瘀证患者 (血瘀证组 ) ,均为本院近 5年的门诊和住院病人 ,其中男 2 78例 ,女2 2 4例 ,年龄 4 5岁～ 80岁 ,平均年龄 5 0 .2± 11.7岁 ,病程 1年～ 9年 ,平均 5 .2年 ;( 2 )健康中老年对照组 ,均…     

老年气虚血瘀证患者微循环和血液流变学特征及通心络胶囊的治疗作用观察

目的 :观察老年气虚血瘀证患者甲襞微循环和血液流变性特征及通心络胶囊的治疗作用。方法 :选择年龄 60岁以上的心、脑血管疾病患者 (中医辨证属气虚血瘀型 ) 60例 ,检测微循环和血液流变学指标 ,再随机分为治疗组 (通心络胶囊组 ) 3 3例和对照组 (尼莫地平组 ) 2 7例作比较 ,观察通心络胶囊对改善微循环和血液流变性及临床症状的治疗作用。结果 :气虚血瘀症患者治疗前甲襞微循环中度及重度异常者 5 2例 ( 86.67% ,5 2 /60 ) ,其中治疗组 2 9例 ( 87.9% ,2 9/3 3 ) ,对照组2 3例 ( 85 .7% ,2 3 /2 7) ,以形态积分 ( 2 .5 8) >流态积分 ( 2 .2 2 ) >袢周积分 ( 0 .83 )为主要特征 ;血液流变学指标两组异常率同为 10 0 % ,其中以全血粘度、血浆粘度、红细胞聚集指数明显升高 ,红细胞变形能力降低为主要特征。治疗 3 0天后 ,微循环及血液流变学指标较治疗前均有显著改善 (P均 <0 .0 5～ 0 .0 1)。并且治疗组与对照组比较均有显著差异 (P <0 .0 5 )。临床治疗总有效率 ,治疗组为 90 .9% ,对照组为 70 .3 9 % ,两组比较有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :老年气虚血瘀证患者甲襞微循环异常和血液流变学指标异常率极高 ,通心络胶囊对改善微循环和血液流变学指标有显著疗效     

绝经前后妇女载脂蛋白E基因多态性及血脂代谢的分析

为探讨绝经期妇女载脂蛋白E(ApoE)基因多态性的分布情况 ,以及载脂蛋白E基因多态性对绝经期妇女血脂代谢的影响。选取 10 4例绝经后妇女及 92例绝经前妇女 ,采用聚合酶链反应———限制片段长度多态性技术(PCR RFLP)来分析ApoE的基因型 ,并按常规酶法及免疫法测定血脂和载脂蛋白及脂蛋白 (a)。结果显示E3 3基因型及ε3等位基因频率在两组人群中均为最高 ,且在绝经后组中E3 2频率较普通人群明显低 ,在绝经后组中胆固醇(TC)甘油三酯 (TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇 (LDL C)、载脂蛋白B(ApoB)及脂蛋白 (a) (Lp(a) )均显著高于绝经前组 (P<0 0 5 ,P <0 0 1)且在绝经后组中ε4携带者TC ,LDL C ,ApoB明显高于ε3携带者 (P <0 0 5 )。表明载脂蛋白E基因多态性对绝经期妇女血脂的代谢有一定的影响。     

动脉硬化性脑梗死患者血脂和血液流变性特征及元活苏合用曲克芦丁的疗效观察

目的:探讨动脉硬化性脑梗死患者血液流变学和血脂指标异常特征及脑蛋白水解物(元活苏)合用曲克芦丁对其的治疗作用。方法:69例动脉硬化性脑梗死患者随机分为合并治疗组35例和丹参治疗对照组34例。30名健康老年人作正常对照。比较治疗前后各组病人血液流变性及血脂变化。结果:合并治疗组总有效率(94.29%)优于丹参对照组(73.52%)(P<0.05);两组治疗前血液流变学和血脂指标均高于正常组(P<0.01),治疗后均有显著改善(P<0.01);合并治疗组降脂降粘效果明显优于丹参对照组(P<0.05)。结论:动脉硬化性脑梗死患者的血液流变性及血脂明显异常,元活苏合并曲克芦丁治疗动脉硬化性脑梗死疗效显著。     

025 长期口服避孕药妇女血液流变性变化的探讨

目的: 探讨长期口服避孕药(OC)对妇女血液流变学变化的影响. 方法: 测定长期口服OC妇女及对照组妇女各50例的血液流变学检测值. 结果: OC组妇女在全血高切(150 s-1)粘度、 K值、血栓长度(L)、湿重(MW)与对照组相比有显著性差异(P<0.01). 血液流变学指标与口服OC时间的长短经方差分析, L与纤维蛋白原有显著性差异, 而与OC妇女年龄的大小经方差分析无显著性差异. 结论: 长期口服OC对妇女的血液流变性有一定的影响, 且与口服OC年限的长短有关.     

兔激素性股骨头坏死的血液流变学改变

目的　探讨血液流变学指标在激素性股骨头坏死过程中的变化规律及其作用。方法　20只兔随机分成2组，每组10只。A组（激素性股骨头坏死动物模型组）：间隔24h耳缘静脉内2次注射大肠杆菌内毒素，每次40μg/kg，注射内毒素后注射醋酸泼尼松龙20mg/kg。B组（正常对照组）。两组分别在注射后24h、72h、7d、14d 及21d，进行血浆黏度、全血黏度、血小板计数及血脂测定，21d取股骨头和肝脏行病理组织学观察。结果　A组用药后24h血浆黏度、全血黏度升高，血脂升高(P<0.01)血小板计数减少(P<0.01)，用药后72h、7d、14d 及21d，持续异常，与B组相比差异显著。A组21d时病理切片见股骨头骨细胞和肝细胞变性、坏死。结论　在激素性股骨头坏死动物模型中，血液流变学指标异常在引起血栓前状态，形成血栓导致骨坏死过程中可能发挥了重要作用。     

Comparison of fundamental voice frequency between menopausal women and women at menacme

OBJECTIVE: To analyze comparatively the speaking fundamental frequency (F0) between women at menacme and women in the climacterium taking or not hormonal replacement therapy. METHODS: A controlled transverse study was conducted on 45 women divided into three groups of 15 women each: Group A (women aged 20-40 years with regular menstrual cycles taking no hormonal contraceptives), Group B (women aged 45-60 years with a duration of menopause of at least 2 years taking 1mg estradiol valerate +90 microg norgestimate per day in a continuous treatment scheme lasting at least 6 months), and Group C (women aged 45-60 years with a duration of menopause of at least 2 years taking no HRT for at least 6 months). The mean age for Groups A, B and C was 30.3, 54.5 and 56.5 years, respectively. The groups were analyzed comparatively regarding F0 values for the sustained vowels /e/ and /i/. RESULTS: Mean F0 for the sustained vowels /e/ and /i/ were 215.97 and 229.89 Hz, 206.21 and 221.79 Hz, 200.71 and 212.79 Hz for Groups A, B and C, respectively, with no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is evidence of a probable modulating effect of sex steroids on the larynx, in the present study no significant differences in speaking voice were observed regarding menopause or the use of HRT. The absence of such differences observed in F0 does not necessarily mean that there is no difference in vocal quality between these groups since F0 represents only a vocal parameter.     

Dry eye in post-menopausal women using hormone replacement therapy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on dry eye in post-menopausal women. METHODS: Forty post-menopausal women with dry eye (20 patients, group 1) and without dry eye (20 patients, group 2), and planning to receive HRT (estrogen plus progesterone), were recruited as the study groups. Forty age-matched untreated women were enrolled as controls (group 3 with dry eye, 5 patients; group 4 without dry eye, 35 patients). Patients having at least one of the symptoms (dryness, itching, photophobia, foreign body sensation, and tearing) together with two of the tests with positive results for dry eye (tear film break-up time (BUT), fluorescein staining of the cornea, analysis of the meibomian gland, and Schirmer I test) in both eyes were considered dry eye positive. Hormonal assay for follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, and free testosterone was performed. Dry eye statuses in the groups were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: Four patients with incomplete follow-up data were excluded. HRT use increased estradiol levels in the groups. Mean ages of patients (50.2+/-4.8 and 50.7+/-3.9 years, and 50.0+/-4.6 and 53.0+/-3.9 years) were similar (p=0.67). Duration of menopause in groups 1 and 2 (3.2+/-2.2 and 1.4+/-1.2 years; p=0.01), and in groups 3 and 4 (3.0+/-1.6 and 1.7+/-1.3 years; p=0.014) were different. At the third month examinations, all of the patients in group 1, and 11 patients (61.1%) in group 2 had dry eye (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Duration of menopause and use of HRT may increase the incidence of dry eye in post-menopausal woman.     

Effects of hormone replacement therapy on cognitive performance in elderly women

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of 9 months of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on cognitive performance in women aged 75 years and older. METHODS: A 9-month randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled parallel trial. Fifty-two elderly postmenopausal women (age range 75-91 years) without known contraindications to HRT or evidence of dementia or depression were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:2 ratio to placebo or conjugated estrogens at 0.625 mg/d plus trimonthly medroxyprogesterone acetate at 5 mg/d for 13 days (HRT). Main outcome measures were change from baseline and rate of change from baseline for the following psychometric tests: Verbal Fluency Test, Weschler Paired Associate Learning and 20 min Delayed Recall, Trailmaking A and B Tests, Cancellation Random Letter and Random Form Tests. RESULTS: At baseline, women in the HRT group reported a younger age of onset of menopause and a higher prevalence of hysterectomy, but otherwise did not differ from women in the placebo group. After 9 months of treatment, there were no significant group differences for any of the cognitive performance measures. The lack of an observed group-by-time difference for all cognitive tests remained after controlling for age of onset of menopause, education, and previous hysterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Although conclusions are limited by small sample size and the relatively short duration of treatment, results suggest that 9 months of estrogen replacement in combination with trimonthly progestin does not improve cognitive performance in women over 75 years who do not have dementia or depression.     

Life prevalence and determinants of hormone replacement therapy in women living in Porto, Portugal

OBJECTIVE: To survey the life prevalence and determinants of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in Portugal. METHODS: We evaluated 908 women with mean age (standard deviation) 62.3 (9.6) years, as part of the assembling of a cohort of adults, representative of Porto inhabitants. Extensive data collection was conducted and included socio-demographic, lifestyle and clinical characterisation. The latter comprised gynecologic and obstetric history, as well as lifetime use and duration of HRT. RESULTS: Life prevalence of hormone replacement therapy was 26.8% (95% confidence interval: 23.9-29.8). Prevalence of lifetime HRT was higher in younger (born after 1949: 37.1%) and more educated women (over 12 schooling years: 48.7%), as in white-collar workers (36.8%), and women using private healthcare (39.4%). HRT use was also more frequent among ever smokers (43.1%), and in women reporting regular sports practice (35.6%). Ever users of oral contraceptives underwent HRT more frequently (33.3%) and women who experienced menopause more recently were more likely to use HRT (after 1994: 40.5%). No differences were found in the prevalence of HRT according to whether women had been hysterectomised or oophorectomised. Education, regular sports practice and menopause year were independent determinants of HRT. Median duration of therapy was 2 years. Short-term HRT users were more educated, and had more recent menopause. Long-term HRT users were more educated, engaged in sports more frequently, and were more frequently oophorectomised. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of hormone replacement therapy increased until 2001 and was mainly determined by high socioeconomic status, regardless of important therapeutic indications, such as oophorectomy and hysterectomy.     

Hormone replacement therapy improves arterial stiffness in normotensive postmenopausal women

Objectives: Aortic stiffness, determined by the pulse wave velocity (PWV), is an independent marker of cardiovascular risk. PWV is mainly influenced by age-associated alterations of arterial wall structure and blood pressure (BP). To determine the impact of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on arterial compliance in normotensive, postmenopausal women, we examined the effects of HRT on PWV. Methods: Fifty-six postmenopausal women aged 50–70 years were recruited into the present retrospective study from the patients visiting our menopause clinic. Twenty-seven women who were prescribed HRT (14 on estrogen alone and 13 on estrogen plus progestogen) for several months to 6 years and an age-matched group of 29 women not on HRT were studied (Study 1). Nine postmenopausal women were also studied before and at 4 weeks of the treatment of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) (Study 2). Brachial to ankle PWV (baPWV), which is correlated with aortic PWV, was determined using an automatic device, BP-203PRE. Results: In Study 1, PWV was significantly correlated with age in both groups (controls: r=0.392, P=0.035; HRT group: r=0.471, P=0.013), and HRT significantly lowered the PWV value at all ages examined (Mean±S.D. of baPWV in controls: 1382.2±114.1; HRT: 1245.3±124.8, P=0.0001). In Study 2, baPWV decreased significantly after ERT (P<0.05), without a significant change in systolic BP (P=0.851). Conclusions: Estrogen appears to improve arterial compliance independently of BP within 4 weeks.     

Compliance with hormone replacement therapy in Thai women

A retrospective study was performed to determine the compliance of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the characteristics of women who continue to use HRT and the reasons for discontinuation. This study comprised of 821 postmenopausal women who attended the menopause clinic between January 1993 and December 1997. A total of 613 women (74.67%) were considered to be good compliant users. They had been on HRT for at least 1 year. Two hundred and eight women (25.33%) discontinued the treatment, with an average of 5.1 months duration of use. The younger age group at time of consultation and at menopause and those with previous hysterectomy were factors associated with higher degree of compliance. Its compliance decreased with age and the duration of menopause. The common reasons in the women's decision to discontinue HRT were bleeding episodes (23.08%), undesirable side effects (15.05%) and on physicians' advice (13.46%), respectively. Compliance with HRT appears to be similar to that reported in other specialist centres. Factors affecting compliance were age, age at menopause, duration of menopause, and hysterectomy. Irregular vaginal bleeding was the major reason for discontinuation.     

Correlates of hormone replacement therapy use in Italian women, 1992-1996

OBJECTIVES: we analyzed the determinants of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) use in Italy for the period 1992-1996, using data from a framework of case-control studies of colon and rectal neoplasm. METHODS: a total of 1574 women aged 45-74 years were considered. This group comprised women with acute, non neoplastic, non-hormone-related diseases admitted to a network of hospitals in six areas of Italy. RESULTS: a total of 146 women (8.5%) reported ever HRT use. The multivariate odds ratio (OR) of ever use was 1.6 (95% CI 1.0-2.6) for women with 12 years of education or more, compared with those with < 7 years. The frequency of use of HRT tended to decrease with increasing parity: the OR was 0.6 for women with four or more children as compared to nulliparae (chi2 trend 3.5, P = 0.06). Ever HRT users were more frequently smokers. HRT use was more frequent in women reporting surgical menopause (OR = 2.7) than those with natural menopause. Among post menopausal women, HRT use was related with early age at menopause (chi2 trend 4.6, P = 0.03). HRT use was more common among women reporting lower body mass index (BMI) both at interview and at age 30 years and the difference between current BMI and BMI at age 30 years, was not related with HRT use. CONCLUSIONS: women of higher socioeconomic status or education reported more frequent HRT use and nulliparae and smokers were also more likely to use HRT. Further HRT use was directly associated with early age at menopause and surgical menopause and inversely related with measures of body weight.     

Factors associated with intention to use hormone replacement therapy among Thai middle-aged women

OBJECTIVES: To examine the differences among those who express their intentions to use hormone replacement therapy (intenders), those who express their intentions not to use hormone replacement therapy (non-intenders), and those who are undecided, and to examine the factors associated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) intention among Thai middle-aged women. METHODS: A total of 420 women aged 40-59 years, recruited from one hospital in Bangkok were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Compared to intenders and non-intenders, the undecided were significantly less knowledgeable about menopause and HRT, and perceived the highest level of decisional uncertainty. Being inadequately informed was the most important factor that distinguished the undecided from intenders and non-intenders. When looking at intenders and non-intenders, no significant differences in perceived information inadequacy, level of knowledge, and perceived risks of HRT were found. However, it was found that intenders perceived higher benefit over risk of HRT (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.07), held more negative beliefs towards menopause (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.03, 2.53), and were approximately two times more likely to have ever used oral contraceptives (OR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.13, 3.47) than non-intenders. CONCLUSION: The findings reveal the importance of being informed about menopause and HRT in making decision about HRT use. Changes in knowledge, and beliefs are promising avenues to study to see how these impacts HRT use.     

Comparison of the difference in histopathology and cell cycle kinetics among the postmenopausal endometrium treated with different progestins in sequential-combined hormone replacement therapy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the difference in histopathology and cell cycle kinetics in the menopausal endometrium treated with sequential-combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) using different types and doses of progestins. DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind, 1-year study was conducted. In a menopause clinic of a university hospital, 241 postmenopausal women using HRT were included for the study of histopathology and cell cycle analysis. Conjugated equine estrogens, 0.625mg/day, were administered for 25 days (days 1-25) of each month, and the following were also administered for 14 days (days 12-25): in group A ( n= 102), medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), 5 mg/day; in group B ( n= 66), MPA, 10mg/day; and in group C ( n= 73), dydrogesterone, 20mg/day. Endometrial sampling was performed after at least 10 months of treatment. Fifty-two premenopausal women were also enrolled for the comparative studies (group Y). The S-G2-M fractions in the cell cycle were used as the marker of proliferation. RESULTS: Most menopausal endometria were normal regardless of the regimens of HRT. Endometrial hyperplasia was only found in two cases (both in group A). The S-G2-M fractions of the endometrial cells in all three menopausal groups showed no statistically significant difference. It appeared that S-G2-M fractions increased from normal postmenopausal to normal premenopausal endometria to postmenopausal hyperplasia to premenopausal hyperplasia. The S-G2-M fractions of the normal menopausal endometrial cells were lower than those of the premenopausal controls either in normal or in hyperplastic categories. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that there is no difference between the effect of MPA and dydrogesterone used in sequential-combined HRT based on the cycle kinetics of the menopausal endometrium.     

B cell subsets in postmenopausal women and the effect of hormone replacement therapy

Objectives: In elderly subjects the capacity for antibody production is depressed. This immunosenescence state of humoral immunity is associated with the occurrence of autoimmune disorders involving CD5⁺ B (B-1) cells. Since estrogen is capable of stimulating the production of autoantibodies, this sex steroid hormone may be a contributing cause of the higher incidence of autoimmune diseases in women. In the present study, B cell subsets in women during the postmenopausal period was determined. The effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on B cell subsets was examined to establish whether the administration of gonadal hormones influence humoral immunity in postmenopausal women. Methods: Forty six untreated pre- and postmenopausal women and 39 women on HRT were studied. The proportion of B-1 (CD5⁺) and conventional CD5⁻ B (B-2) lymphocytes was determined by two-color flow cytometry. Serum autoantibodies to a nuclear antigen and to interleukin (IL)-1 were measured by immunofluorescence and by radioimmunoassay, respectively. Thirteen women were examined prospectively before and during HRT. Results: In late postmenopausal women (≥30 years postmenopausal period), the proportion of B-2 cells was significantly reduced (p<0.01) compared to those of premenopausal and perimenopausal women. HRT induced a significant (p<0.01) increase in the percentage of B-2 cells, while that of B-1 cells remained unchanged. HRT did not affect autoantibody production. Conclusion: HRT may retard the progress of immunosenescence by increasing the production of B-2 cells. Moreover, HRT appears not to increase the risk of autoimmune diseases developing in postmenopausal women.