Adverse change in low-density lipoprotein subfractions profile with oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy

In a prospective longitudinal study in 17 women, we investigated theeffects of surgical menopause and subsequent oestrogen-only hormonereplacement therapy (HRT) on plasma concentrations of total cholesterol,HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL subfractionsprofile. Plasma LDL is a heterogeneous population of particles of varyingsize, density and chemical composition. The predominance of small LDLparticles is a newly-recognized risk factor for coronary artery disease.The LDL score is used to describe LDL subfractions profile and the greaterthe score, the higher the proportion of small LDL particles. Six weeksafter hysterectomy and bilateral oopherectomy, total cholesterol andtriglyceride concentrations were significantly increased (p < 0.01) aswell as the LDL score (p < 0.05). After 6 weeks of oestrogen-only HRT,total cholesterol concentration was significantly lower and HDL cholesterolconcentration significantly higher than before the treatment (p < 0.05).At the same time, mean LDL score significantly increased and in none of thewomen did LDL subfractions profile change favourably.