雌激素补充治疗对绝经妇女同型半胱氨酸影响的初步观察

目的 :观察雌激素补充治疗 (ERT)对绝经妇女同型半胱氨酸 (HCY)的影响。方法 :绝经 1～ 5年正常妇女118例 ,分为 3组 ,Ⅰ组 38例用激素补充治疗 (HRT) 1～ 2年 (戊炔雌三醇 2mg/月 ,每 3个月用甲羟孕酮 8mg/d连用 10天 ) ,Ⅱ组 4 0例短期用ERT组 (戊炔雌三醇 2mg/月用药 3个月 ) ,Ⅲ组 4 0例不用HRT为对照组。Ⅰ组测HCY、Ⅱ组用药前后测HCY ,Ⅲ组与Ⅱ组同期测 2次HCY。结果 :Ⅱ组接受ERT治疗 3个月 ,治疗前HCY(16 .17± 6 .36 ) μmol/L ,治疗后(11.99± 3.2 4 ) μmol/L ,差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;Ⅰ组HCY(12 .0 4± 2 .99) μmol/L ,Ⅲ组 (15 .0 1± 6 .11) μmol/L ,两组差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :长期HRT或短期ERT治疗 ,均可使HCY水平降低     

胰岛素样生长因子及胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-3与胎儿生长受限的关系

目的　探讨胰岛素样生长因子 (IGF) Ⅰ、IGF Ⅱ和IGF结合蛋白 3(IGFBP 3)与胎儿生长的关系 ,以及IGF在胎儿生长受限 (FGR)发病中的作用。方法　选取 2 0例分娩FGR胎儿 (FGR组 )、10例分娩巨大儿 (巨大儿组 )及 2 0例分娩正常儿 (对照组 )的产妇 ,抽取 3组产妇分娩后肘静脉血及其新生儿脐静脉血 ,分离血清。采用放射免疫法和免疫放射法测定 3组产妇及其新生儿血清中IGF Ⅰ、IGF Ⅱ及IGFBP 3的水平。结果　 (1)FGR组产妇血清IGF Ⅰ、IGF Ⅱ及IGFBP 3水平分别为(130 5± 2 6 0 ) μg/L、(2 40± 0 42 ) μg/L及(5 5 79± 848) μg/L ;新生儿脐血清IGF Ⅰ、IGF Ⅱ及IGFBP 3水平分别为 (6 6± 1 7) μg/L、(1 5 4± 0 31) μg/L及 (86 9± 183) μg/L。 (2 )巨大儿组产妇血清IGF Ⅰ、IGF Ⅱ及IGFBP 3水平分别为 (30 9 7± 44 6 ) μg/L、(2 43± 0 2 5 ) μg/L及(5 5 6 2± 742 ) μg/L ;新生儿脐血清IGF Ⅰ、IGF Ⅱ及IGFBP 3水平分别为 (6 9 6± 2 3 9) μg/L、(2 19± 0 2 9) μg/L及(16 82± 130 )μg/L。(3)对照组产妇血清IGF Ⅰ、IGF Ⅱ及IGFBP 3水平分别为 (30 7 9± 70 7) μg/L、(2 41± 0 36 )μg/L及 (5 5 86± 6 78) μg/L ;新生儿脐血清IGF Ⅰ、IGF Ⅱ及IGFBP 3水平分别为 (6 8 9     

雌激素替代治疗对妇女颈动脉壁厚度的影响

流行病学研究证明雌激素替代治疗(HRT)对绝经后妇女具有心脏保护作用,可使动脉粥样硬化疾病减少约50％。为研究HRT对动脉壁的影响,选择自然绝经后妇女为研究对象,1组46例为接受pramarin 0.625mg+norgestrel 1mg治疗1年以上,平均年龄52±8岁,平均绝经年龄为45±15岁;2组为未接受过HRT 51例,平均年龄51±11岁,平均绝经年龄46±13岁。受试者均无糖尿病、高脂血症、高血压、吸烟、肥胖病史。试验采用高频超声技术,精确测量左颈动脉体表搏动最强处之内、中、外     

白细胞介素1β对绝经后妇女成骨细胞芳香化酶活性的影响

目的　探讨白细胞介素 (IL) 1β及IL 1受体拮抗剂 (IL 1ra)对绝经后妇女成骨细胞芳香化酶活性的影响。方法　对绝经后妇女的成骨细胞进行培养 ,设立对照组及实验组 ,实验组共分 4组 ,分别加入IL 1β 1μg/L(实验 1组 )、IL 1β 10 μg/L(实验 2组 )、IL 1β 10 μg/L +IL 1ra 5 0 0 μg/L(实验 3组 )和IL 1ra 5 0 0 μg/L(实验 4组 ) ,采用氚水法和半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应检测芳香化酶活性及其基因mRNA表达。结果　实验 1组、实验 2组放射强度分别为 (42 11± 348)pmol/10 6cell·h-1、(495 8± 2 31)pmol/10 6cell·h-1,对照组为 (3381± 2 6 0 )pmol/10 6cell·h-1。各组比较 ,差异有显著性 (P<0 0 5 )。实验 3组放射强度为 (36 5 2± 2 0 3)pmol/10 6cell·h-1,与实验 2组比较 ,放射强度明显受到抑制 ,差异有非常显著性 (P <0 0 0 1)。实验 4组放射强度为 (3178± 195 )pmol/10 6cell·h-1,低于对照组 ,但差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5 )。实验 1组、实验 2组芳香化酶mRNA表达明显高于对照组 (P <0 0 1) ,实验 1组和实验 2组比较 ,差异有显著性 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　IL 1β通过IL 1受体调节芳香化酶的活性 ,IL 1β能增加绝经后妇女成骨细胞芳香化酶的活性     

妊娠期糖代谢异常患者胰岛素和C肽释放试验的分析

目的　观察正常妊娠妇女、妊娠期合并糖耐量减低 (GIGT)及妊娠期糖尿病 (GDM )患者孕期胰岛素、C肽水平的变化 ,探讨妊娠期糖代谢变化的规律 ,了解其胰岛 β细胞的功能状况。　 方法　用放射免疫法测定正常妊娠妇女 3 1例 (Ⅰ组 )、妊娠期合并糖耐量减低 (GIGT)患者 3 6例 (Ⅱ组 )、妊娠期糖尿病(GDM )患者 3 1例 (Ⅲ组 )的外周血胰岛素、C肽水平。　结果　Ⅰ、Ⅲ组胰岛素、C肽均随孕周逐渐上升 ,Ⅱ、Ⅲ组孕 3 1周时胰岛素水平 [(13 .95± 3 .15 )mIU/L、(15 .10± 2 .96)mIU /L]和C肽水平 [(0 .60± 0 .2 1)pmol/ml、(0 .80± 0 .3 1) pmol/ml]明显高于Ⅰ组 [(11.40± 3 .2 7)mIU/L、(0 .44± 0 .2 6)pmol/ml ,P <0 .0 5 ] ,产后各组胰岛素、C肽水平均下降。Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组孕 3 8周胰岛素水平 [(17.90± 3 .85 )mIU/L、(18.3 1±3 .83 )mIU/L、(19.0 2± 4.16)mIU/L ,P >0 .0 5 ]、C肽水平 [(0 .69± 0 .2 8) pmol/ml、(0 .75± 0 .2 2 ) pmol/ml、(0 .93± 0 .46) pmol/ml,P >0 .0 5 ] ,产后胰岛素水平 [(7.71± 2 .2 3 )mIU /L、(8.2 8± 2 .3 4)mIU /L、(8.76±3 .3 1)mIU /L ,P >0 .0 5 ]和C肽水平 [(0 .2 4± 0 .14 )pmol/ml、(0 .2 6± 0 .13 ) pmol/ml、(0 .2 7± 0 .13 ) pmol/ml,P >0 .0 5 ]之     

妊娠肝内胆汁淤积症患者胎儿缺氧的影响因素

目的　探讨妊娠肝内胆汁淤积症 (ICP)患者胎儿缺氧机理及其相关因素。方法　分别测定ICP患者 (30例 ,ICP组 )及正常妊娠妇女 (30例 ,对照组 )新生儿脐动脉血胆汁酸总量 (TBA)、次黄嘌呤 (HX)、内皮素 (ET)及有核红细胞 (NRBC)计数。结果　 (1)ICP组缺氧者 (10例 )脐血HX水平为(18.6 8± 15 .73) μmol/L ,明显高于ICP组无缺氧者 (2 0例 ) [(6 .87± 2 .82 ) μmol/L ]及对照组 [(6 .81±2 .83) μmol/L](P <0 .0 1) ;但NRBC[(4 .2 0± 2 .49)个 / 10 0白细胞 ,(3.40± 2 .2 6 )个 / 10 0白细胞 ,(3.5 0± 1.74)个 / 10 0白细胞 ]及ET水平 [(72 .44± 12 .2 3)ng/L ,(70 .16± 2 6 .6 1)ng/L ,(6 7.2 7± 43.5 6 )ng/L],各组相似 (P >0 .0 5 )。 (2 )ICP组缺氧者脐血TBA为 (2 3.77± 11.82 ) μmol/L ,明显高于ICP组无缺氧者 (14.86± 5 .46 ) μmol/L ,ICP组无缺氧者脐血TBA又高于对照组 [(9.2 8± 4.39) μmol/L](P <0 .0 1) ;且ICP组脐血TBA与HX水平呈正相关 (r=0 .6 89,P <0 .0 1) ;ICP组羊水胎粪污染率明显高于对照组 (5 3.3% ,13.3% ;P <0 .0 1) ,ICP组羊水胎粪污染者脐血TBA[(2 1.44± 9.92 ) μmol/L],明显高于羊水清亮者 [(13.6 9± 5 .74) μmol/L],差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 5 )。 结论　ICP时 ,     

米非司酮和利洛司酮对异位子宫内膜间质细胞增殖和核因子κB表达的影响

目的　观察米非司酮和利洛司酮对体外异位子宫内膜间质细胞增殖及核因子κB(NF κB)表达的影响。方法　取卵巢子宫内膜异位囊肿的异位内膜间质细胞进行体外培养 ,根据不同的药物浓度对内膜间质细胞培养液进行分组 :米非司酮浓度为 1× 10 -6mol/L者 ,为米非司酮Ⅰ组 ,浓度为 1× 10 -5mol/L者 ,为米非司酮Ⅱ组 ;利洛司酮的浓度为 1× 10 -6mol/L者 ,为利洛司酮Ⅰ组 ,浓度为 1× 10 -5mol/L者 ,为利洛司酮Ⅱ组。对照组培养液为 0 5 %乙醇。应用四甲基偶氮唑蓝 (MTT)法检测米非司酮和利洛司酮对内膜间质细胞的抑制作用。应用免疫细胞化学法和原位杂交法 ,检测各组内膜间质细胞NF κBP6 5蛋白和NF κBP6 5mRNA的表达。结果　米非司酮Ⅰ组、米非司酮Ⅱ组、利洛司酮Ⅰ组、利洛司酮Ⅱ组、对照组内膜间质细胞NF κBP6 5蛋白的表达分别为 (6 3 9± 3 5 )分、(49 1± 2 6 )分、(5 6 2± 2 9)分、(35 3± 2 1)分、(78 7± 2 4 )分 ;NF κBP6 5mRNA的表达分别为 (5 7 3± 3 3)分、(43 2± 3 1)分、(48 4± 2 7)分、(2 8 6± 1 8)分、(82 8± 4 6 )分。NF κBP6 5蛋白及NF κBP6 5mRNA的表达强度 ,均为对照组 >米非司酮Ⅰ组、利洛司酮Ⅰ组 >米非司酮Ⅱ组、利洛司酮Ⅱ组 ;米非司酮组Ⅰ、Ⅱ组 >利洛司酮组     

子宫肌瘤手术卵巢去留对妇女生活质量的影响

目的：探讨子宫肌瘤手术卵巢去留对妇女生活质量的影响。方法：497例子宫肌瘤患者被分为双侧卵巢切除组（Ⅰ式）,单侧卵巢切除组（Ⅱ式）和保留卵巢组（Ⅲ式）进行分析,并对各组40例患者绝经综合征按Kuppermar评分及术后6月FSH、LH和E2的血清水平进抒比较。Ⅰ式组使用雌激素替代治疗（HRT）后1,2,3个月重新评估。结果：Ⅰ式903％、Ⅱ式626％和Ⅲ式25．2％有绝经综合征表现,Kuppermar各症状评分并以Ⅰ式最高,Ⅱ式次之,Ⅲ式最低,差异极其显著（P＜0．01）。激素水平Ⅰ式FSH、LH最高,E2最低,Ⅲ式与之相反,Ⅱ式居中,差异极显著（P＜0．01）,而Ⅰ式HRT后Kuppermar总评分逐月下降。结论：保留卵巢可维持妇女的雌激素水平,提高妇女的生活质量。     

卵巢癌患者外周血T淋巴细胞核仁形成区嗜银蛋白的研究

目的 :研究卵巢癌患者外周血T淋巴细胞核仁形成区嗜银蛋白 (AgNORs)与卵巢癌的临床特点及生物学行为的关系。方法 :以卵巢癌患者 36例为研究组 ;以良性卵巢肿瘤患者 17例及健康妇女 2 0例为对照组。利用KL型肿瘤免疫图像分析系统计数T淋巴细胞核仁银染面积与细胞核面积比值 (integratedsquare ,IS)。结果 :卵巢浆液性腺癌、子宫内膜样腺癌、粘液性腺癌及未分化腺癌的IS均值分别为 9.31± 1.96 %、7.4 1± 0 .39%、7.98± 2 .95 %、6 .78± 0 .70 % ;高分化、中分化、低分化卵巢癌患者IS均值分别为 9.6 6±1.85 %、8.37± 1.95 %、8.16± 2 .0 5 % ;Ⅰ期、Ⅱ期、Ⅲ期及Ⅳ期卵巢癌患者的IS均值分别为 8.80± 1.35 %、10 .6 5± 0 .96 %、9.12± 1.6 3%、6 .0 1± 0 .4 5 % ;良性卵巢肿瘤及健康妇女的IS均值分别为 9.0 9± 1.83%、9.6 3± 1.5 2 %。不同组织学类型、不同分化级别卵巢癌患者其外周血T淋巴细胞AgNORs表达差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 )。Ⅳ期卵巢癌与Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ期卵巢癌及对照组患者的外周血T淋巴细胞AgNORs表达有高度显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :Ⅳ期卵巢癌患者较Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ期卵巢癌及对照组患者外周血T淋巴细胞rD NA转录活性及细胞免疫功能明显降低 ,这可能是导致卵巢癌进展的因素之一     

激素替代治疗对绝经后妇女体内脂肪分布的影响

女性随着绝经、年龄的增长 ,体重和体内脂肪分布将发生变化。本研究通过对绝经后经激素替代治疗 (ＨＲＴ)的妇女体内脂肪含量的测定 ,探讨ＨＲＴ对绝经后妇女体内脂肪分布的影响。一、资料与方法1 研究对象 :选择 1998年 8月～ 1999年 10月在我院更年期门诊就诊的绝经后妇女 44例 ,绝经 1～ 4年。雌二醇(Ｅ2 ) <2 0ｎｇ/Ｌ ,卵泡刺激素 (ＦＳＨ) >40ＩＵ/Ｌ ,有完整子宫 ,无糖尿病等代谢性疾病史 ,无性激素治疗史。将 44例随机分为ＨＲＴ组和对照组 ,ＨＲＴ组的年龄、绝经时间、身高分别为(5 2 6± 4 7)岁、(2 5 7± 8 3)个月和 (15 9 0±…     

激素补充治疗对绝经后妇女血液流变学的影响

目的探讨不同剂量结合雌激素(倍美力)配伍安宫黄体酮(MPA)的连续联合方案对绝经后妇女血液流变学的影响,以便更合理地为绝经后妇女的激素补充治疗提供指导和咨询.方法将60例绝经1～4年的健康妇女随机分为3组,A、B组分别口服结合雌激素0.625mg/d或0.3mg/d配伍MPA2mg/d,加复方碳酸钙(钙尔奇-D)600mg/d;C组口服复方碳酸钙600mg/d,为期半年,对比3组用药前、后以及用药后各组间血液流变学各项指标的变化.结果治疗前3组血液流变学各项指标比较,差异无显著性(P＞0.05).用药后,A组的全血高切粘度从(5.23±0.37)毫帕@秒(mPa@s)降至(5.03±0.43)mPa@s(P＜0.05),血浆粘度从(1.66±0.19)mPa@s降至(1.58±0.15)mPa@s(P＜0.05),红细胞变形能力从(4.76±0.32)mPa@s降至(4.54±0.34)mPa@s(P＜0.05),有明显改善.B组全血高切粘度从(5.10±0.30)mPa@s降至(4.87±0.30)mPa@s(P＜0.05),红细胞变形能力从(4.65±0.34)mPa@s降至(4.43±0.29)mPa@s(P＜0.05),也有明显改善.C组各项指标无明显变化.治疗后,A组血浆粘度及纤维蛋白原水平低于C组(P＜0.05);B组全血高切粘度、全血低切粘度及血浆粘度低于C组(P＜0.05).血栓弹力图于治疗前及治疗后各组间比较及治疗前后自身对比,差异无显著性(P＞0.05).结论两种剂量结合雌激素配伍MPA连续联合方案,均可降低血浆粘度、提高红细胞变形能力、改善微循环.     

Effects of estrogen and psychological stress on plasma homocysteine levels

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of estrogen (E) and psychological stress on plasma total homocysteine levels in relation to menopausal status. DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. SETTING: The General Clinical Research Center of a university hospital. PATIENT(S): Thirty-six postmenopausal women and 26 premenopausal women. Both samples were healthy nonsmokers. INTERVENTION(S): Both premenopausal and postmenopausal women were subjected to a 6-minute psychological stressor. Postmenopausal women were randomized to one of three treatment arms: 2 mg of E2 or 2 mg of E2 + 5 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), or a placebo, all of which were given orally for 3 months. The psychological stressor was readministered after the 3-month regimen. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Plasma total homocysteine levels were measured before and after the psychological stressor on one occasion for premenopausal women and before and after hormone replacement or placebo for postmenopausal women. RESULT(S): There were no significant differences in homocysteine levels between premenopausal (7.2 +/- 1.7 micromol/L; mean +/- SD) and postmenopausal women (7.9 +/- 2.06; mean +/- SD). There was no effect of stress or hormone replacement on homocysteine levels. CONCLUSION(S): Psychological stress, menopausal status, and oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT) do not affect plasma total homocysteine levels in women with normal basal homocysteine levels.     

The effect of the phytoestrogen genistein and hormone replacement therapy on homocysteine and C-reactive protein level in postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect, in postmenopausal women, of the phytoestrogen genistein and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on circulating two independent factors of cardiovascular risk: homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP). METHODS: Ninety healthy postmenopausal women, from 50 to 60 years of age, were randomly assigned to receive genistein (n = 30; 54 mg/die) or continuous combined estrogen/progestin therapy (17-beta-estradiol 1 mg plus norethisterone acetate 0.5 mg) or placebo. Plasma homocysteine and serum CRP were measured at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. RESULTS: In the genistein group, plasma homocysteine and serum CRP showed no statistically significant difference from baseline (homocysteine: 11.36 +/- 0.39 micromol/l; CRP: 1.73 +/- 0.31 mg/l) to 6 months treatment (homocysteine: 10.72 +/- 0.46 micromol/l; CRP: 2.13 +/- 0.45 mg/l), without any significant difference versus the placebo group (homocysteine: 11.25 +/- 0.43 micromol/l; CRP: 1.74 +/- 0.22 mg/l). In the HRT group there was a slight, but not significant reduction, of plasma homocysteine mean value from baseline (11.21 +/- 0.44 micromol/l) to 6 months treatment (10.45 +/- 0.38 micromol/l); whereas CRP mean value at the end of treatment (3.30 +/- 0.55 mg/l) was significantly higher from baseline (1.61 +/- 0.25 mg/l) (P < 0.01). However, after 6 months, no significant difference existed with the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The phytoestrogen genistein, after 6 months treatment, does not modify the independent cardiovascular risk linked to circulating homocysteine or CRP level. Our experience confirms critical increase of CRP serum level after HRT treatment, but not plasma homocysteine significant variation.     

绝经妇女血浆一氧化氮、内皮素的水平及补充性激素后的变化

目的 探讨绝经妇女雌激素下后血浆一氧化氮（ＮＯ）与内皮素（ＥＴ）水平的变化，及服用结合雌激素加安宫黄体酮对ＮＯ、ＥＴ水平的影响。方法 选择７０例绝经妇女作为绝经组，２８例有围绝经期症状的妇女作为围绝经组，２６例月经周期正常的妇女作为正常月经组。绝经组中３０例服用结合雌激素加安宫黄体酮者为绝经１组，另外２０例服用碳酸钙治疗者为绝经２组，绝经１期及绝经２组用药时间均为６个月。以上各组均取静脉血测定ＮＯ     

Effects of hormone replacement therapy on plasma homocysteine and C-reactive protein levels.

In order to investigate the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on plasma homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels 46 healthy postmenopausal women were prospectively enrolled. HRT, which was either 0.625 mg/day conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) plus 2.5 mg/day medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or 0.625 mg/day CEE alone were administered. After 6 months, estrogen alone significantly increased serum CRP concentrations (p = 0.039), however, estrogen plus progesterone therapy did not significantly alter serum CRP levels. Both regimens significantly decreased plasma homocysteine levels (CEE group p = 0.034, CEE+MPA group p = 0.007). It was concluded that the reduction in plasma homocysteine levels with both regimens might contribute to the cardiovascular benefit of HRT and the CRP raising effect of estrogen might be partially prevented by the addition of progesterone.     

Failure of the combination of sequential oral and transdermal estradiol plus norethisterone acetate to affect plasma homocysteine levels

Objective: A high level of plasma homocysteine may be deleterious to vascular health. We therefore compared the effect of combinations of sequential oral and transdermal estradiol plus norethisterone acetate on plasma homocysteine.

Design: Prospective, randomized study.

Setting: Outpatient department of obstetrics and gynecology in a university hospital.

Patient(s): Forty-two healthy, nonsmoking postmenopausal women starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to control climacteric symptoms.

Intervention(s): In a randomized order, the women started using either oral HRT (2 mg of estradiol on days 1–12, 2 mg of estradiol plus 1 mg of norethisterone acetate (NETA) on days 13–22, and 1mg of estradiol on days 23–28; N = 21) or transdermal HRT (50 μg/d of estradiol on days 1–28 and 250 μg/d of norethisterone acetate on days 15–28, N = 21) for 1 year.

Main Outcome Measure(s): Fasting plasma levels of homocysteine were measured before the treatment and during the combined estradiol-plus-NETA phases of the sixth and 12th treatment cycles.

Result(s): Basal homocysteine levels in the oral group (8.2 ± 3.1 μmol/L, mean plusmn;SD) and transdermal group (8.7 plusmn; 1.8 μmol/L, mean plusmn;SD) were not affected by the estradiol-plus-NETA combination.

Conclusion(s): Neither an oral nor a transdermal combination of sequential estradiol and NETA causes significant changes in plasma homocysteine in Finnish postmenopausal women with normal baseline homocysteine levels.     

Effect of hormone replacement therapy and tibolone on serum total homocysteine levels in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of continuous combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or tibolone on serum total homocysteine (tHcy) levels in postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: Ninety-five postmenopausal women aged 41-68 years were included in the study. Seventy-three women with climacteric complaints, osteopenia or osteoporosis received either conjugated equine estrogens 0.625 mg combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate 5 mg (CEE/MPA, n=31) or tibolone 2.5 mg (n=42). Twenty-two healthy women, matched for chronological and menopausal age, served as controls. Serum tHcy levels were assessed at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months. RESULTS: No difference was recorded between groups regarding demographic characteristics or mean baseline serum tHcy. Serum tHcy levels decreased significantly in the CEE/MPA compared to baseline (change at 18 months: -3.9%, P<0.05). The magnitude of the decrease was higher in the subgroup of women with baseline tHcy levels above the median (change at 18 months: -15.0%, P<0.01). No change in tHcy levels was detected in the tibolone group throughout the study period, either in the whole group (change at 18 months: 1.9%, NS) or in the subgroup with baseline tHcy levels above the median (change at 18 months: -3.23%, NS). CONCLUSION: Continuous CEE/MPA reduces tHcy especially in women with high pretreatment tHcy levels. Tibolone has no effect on serum tHcy levels at least during the first 18 months of therapy. Larger studies with longer follow-up are required to confirm these results.     

L-thyroxine prevents the bone-conserving effect of HRT in postmenopausal women with subclinical hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism, which is a common disorder among postmenopausal women, may be associated with higher than average bone mineral content. Contrarily, treatment with L-thyroxine may cause a significant bone loss. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) on bone density in women with subclinical hypothyroidism treated with L-thyroxine. A total of 73 postmenopausal women with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels > 5 mU/l and normal free thyroxine values, who never used HRT or L-thyroxine, were divided into three groups according to the treatment given during a 3-year follow-up period: 34 women received only HRT; 20 women received HRT and L-thyroxine, and the remaining 19 women received neither medications. A euthyroid control group included 41 postmenopausal women with TSH levels between 0.5 and 1.5 mU/l, who were using HRT since the initial visit. Lumbar spine bone density measurements were performed at baseline and study termination. Taken as a whole, the hypothyroid women had a non-significant higher baseline bone mineral density (BMD) as compared to the euthyroid controls (1.068 +/- 0.19 g/cm2 vs. 1.024 +/- 0.15). After 3 years, both the euthyroid and hypothyroid women on HRT only had an increase in BMD (0.032 +/- 0.04 g/cm2 and 0.028 +/- 0.05 g/cm2, respectively; p < 0.001 for both, compared to baseline). Hypothyroid women using no medication had a decrease of 0.034 +/- 0.07 g/cm2 in BMD, and those receiving both HRT and L-thyroxine lost the most: 0.04 +/- 0.08 g/cm2 (p < 0.05 for both, compared to baseline). The addition of L-thyroxine thus prevented the beneficial effect of HRT on BMD. Thyroid hormone replacement is recommended only when overt symptoms of hormone deficiency occur. In such cases, a single bone-conserving treatment with HRT may not suffice.     

Influence of hormone replacement therapy (oral and transdermal) on activity of erythrocyte Zn/Cu superoxide dismutase (Zn/Cu-SOD) in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of hormone replacement therapy (oral and transdermal) on the erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activity in postmenopausal women. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The erythrocyte Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity was measured in 14 postmenopausal women (the mean age 58.5 +/- 5.1 years) who received either oral (7) or transdermal (7) HRT. Additionally the activity of the enzyme was compared between the subgroup of healthy women and those with coronary heart disease (CHD). The measurements was made by the use of commercial kit (Bioxytech SOD-525 TM Assay). RESULTS: There were no differences statistically significant between erythrocyte Cu/Zn-SOD activity before and after 3 months of HRT in all patients. However, lower activity of erythrocyte Cu/Zn-SOD was observed in the subgroup of women who were suffering from (CHD) in comparison to their healthy volunteers. The way of HRT administration also influenced erythrocyte Cu/Zn-SOD activity. The erythrocyte Cu/Zn-SOD activity after 3 months of treatment was slightly higher in group who received oral HRT. CONCLUSIONS: HRT (oral and transdermal) leads to changes in erythrocyte Cu/Zn-SOD activity. The presence of (CHD) postmenopausal women seems to influence the erythrocyte Cu/Zn-SOD activity.     

Effects of long-term oral hormone replacement therapy on plasma nitric oxide and beta-endorphin levels in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between plasma nitric oxide (NO) and beta-endorphin levels in women using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for 12 months. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our study group was composed of 55 patients who were in at least their second postmenopausal year. Of the 55 patients, 25 were in the control group. All 30 women in the study group received 2 mg 17beta-estradiol + 1 mg norethisterone acetate tablets daily for 12 months. Plasma NO and beta-endorphin levels were measured both before and after the study period and possible relationships were analyzed. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in both beta-endorphin (p = 0.0001, 10.93 +/- 2.25 vs. 14.85 +/- 2.49) and NO (p = 0.0001, 19.79 +/- 4.01 vs. 27.83 +/- 10.27) levels measured after the study in the HRT group. A correlation was seen between the increments in beta-endorphin and NO levels in the HRT group. CONCLUSION: Continuous combined HRT raises both plasma NO and beta-endorphin levels and a close relationship was found between the two molecules after therapy. We postulate that the increment in these molecules may explain some of the beneficial effects of HRT on cognitive function and mood.