Effects of hormone replacement therapy on glucose and lipid profiles and on cardiovascular risk parameters in postmenopausal women

The effect of 17β-estradiol plus norethisterone acetate treatment on the lipid profile in women: a dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The impact of 17β-estradiol plus norethisterone acetate administration on serum lipids in women is controversial as previously published studies have produced conflicting results. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to investigate the effects of 17β-estradiol plus norethisterone acetate therapy on total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in females.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases for relevant trials published in English until 15 July 2021. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model (the DerSimonian and Laird methods).

RESULTS

A total of 32 RCTs were included in the final analysis. Treatment with 17β-estradiol plus norethisterone acetate significantly decreased LDL-C (WMD: -13.49 mg/dL, 95% CI: -16.46 to -10.52; P < 0.001), HDL-C (WMD: -3.57 mg/dL, 95% CI: -5.56 to -1.58; P < 0.001), TC (WMD: -19.33 mg/dL, 95% CI: -24.14 to -14.52; P < 0.001), and TG (WMD: -10.86 mg/dL, 95% CI: -16.06 to -5.13; P < 0.001) levels in females. The non-linear dose-response meta-analysis revealed a negative correlation between HDL-C levels and increased treatment periods (P ˂ 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Evidence to date suggests that the administration of 17β-estradiol plus norethisterone acetate in females reduces LDL-C, HDL-C, TC, and TG concentrations. Future investigations should clarify whether the reduction in HDL-C following the administration of 17β-estradiol plus norethisterone acetate is clinically significant and poses any risks to the subjects who receive this treatment.

Chlorpyrifos Induces Metabolic Disruption by Altering Levels of Reproductive Hormones

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a widely used organophosphorus pesticide and detected frequently in fruits, vegetables, as well as in urine and blood in humans. Studies have suggested that CPF can induce metabolic disruption, such as type-2 diabetes mellitus and changed body weight. The main mechanisms are based on oxidative damage, fatty-acid synthesis, and lipid peroxidation. Studies have also shown that CPF can change reproductive hormone (RH) levels. CPF might result in metabolic disorders through altered RH levels. Here, we review the studies showing that CFP causes metabolic disruption. Then, we present the studies showing that CFP changes RH levels. Finally, we discuss a potential pathway of how CPF elicits metabolic disruption.

Estrogen Deficiency Promotes Hepatic Steatosis via a Glucocorticoid Receptor-Dependent Mechanism in Mice

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are master regulators of systemic metabolism. Intriguingly, Cushing’s syndrome, a disorder of excessive GCs, phenocopies several menopause-induced metabolic pathologies. Here, we show that the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) drives steatosis in hypogonadal female mice because hepatocyte-specific GR knockout mice are refractory to developing ovariectomy-induced steatosis. Intriguingly, transcriptional profiling revealed that ovariectomy elicits hepatic GC hypersensitivity globally. Hypogonadism-induced GC hypersensitivity results from a loss of systemic but not hepatic estrogen (E2) signaling, given that hepatocyte-specific E2 receptor deletion does not confer GC hypersensitivity. Mechanistically, enhanced chromatin recruitment and ligand-dependent hyperphosphorylation of GR underlie ovariectomy-induced glucocorticoid hypersensitivity. The dysregulated glucocorticoid-mediated signaling present in hypogonadal females is a product of increased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) production because FSH treatment in ovary-intact mice recapitulates glucocorticoid hypersensitivity similar to hypogonadal female mice. Our findings uncover a regulatory axis between estradiol, FSH, and hepatic glucocorticoid receptor signaling that, when disrupted, as in menopause, promotes hepatic steatosis.

Comparison of the symptomatic response in Indian menopausal women with different estrogen preparations for the treatment of menopausal symptoms: a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

To compare symptomatic response in Indian women using different estrogen preparations for treatment of menopausal symptoms.

METHODOLOGY

A randomized, single blind, four arm, parallel assignment study was conducted in VMMC and SJH, New Delhi, India. 200 Indian menopausal women were recruited and assigned into four treatment groups viz., estradiol valerate (E2V), conjugated equine estrogen (CEE), isoflavones and Placebo group. The statistical significance of categorical variables was determined by Chi-square, Fisher's exact test. In case of quantitative variable parametric test Student's t test was used. In case of quantitative variables where data are not normally distributed, Kruskal-wallis test and Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney test were used. Symptomatic response in vasomotor/vaginal symptoms was assessed in all groups.

RESULTS

Both E2V and CEE groups were effective in reducing severity and frequency of hot flashes. 91.9 % decrease was observed in mean hot flash score in the E2V group after 24 weeks of treatment, 89.2 % in the CEE group, 60.42 % decrease in the isoflavones group. While placebo led to 47.9 % decrease in mean hot flash score. After 24 weeks of therapy there was significant increase in vaginal health index in the E2V and CEE and the isoflavones group. No serious side effect was reported in any of the groups.

CONCLUSION

Low doses of both CEE and E2V were equally effective for management of vasomotor/vaginal symptoms when administered over 24 weeks. However, it seems more reasonable to replenish with less costly and bio-identical hormone, i.e. micronized estradiol valerate which is equally effective.

TRIAL REGISTRY

The trial was registered under Clinical trial registry of India prospectively (number: CTRI/2012/04/002566).

Hemodynamic and metabolic effects of estrogen plus progestin therapy in hypertensive postmenopausal women treated with an ACE-inhibitor or a diuretic

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to assess the hemodynamic and metabolic actions of estrogen plus progestin therapy (EPT) in hypertensive, postmenopausal women treated with perindopril (ACEI) or hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). A group of normotensive postmenopausal women was also studied.

METHODS

100 hypertensive and 40 normotensive postmenopausal women were recruited for the study. The hypertensive females were randomly assigned to receive ACEI or HCTZ for 12 months. The patients of the ACEI group and the patients of the HCTZ group, as well as normotensives, were further subdivided into two subgroups each. One subgroup received estrogen plus progestin therapy (EPT+), the other subgroup received no hormone replacement (EPT-). Combined hormone replacement with transdermal patches releasing 17β-estradiol and norethisterone was used. Office and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure was measured at baseline and during follow-up. Renal plasma flow (RPF) was measured using the clearance of [125I]-iodohippuran. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was determined with an automatic device.

RESULTS

In normotensive postmenopausal women, transdermal estrogen plus progestin therapy increases RPF and insulin sensitivity, decreases PWV, decreases total and LDL cholesterol, and decreases uric acid serum levels. Perindopril (4 mg/day) and hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg/day) were equally effective in reducing blood pressure in postmenopausal, hypertensive subjects. In these females, perindopril increased RPF and decreased PWV and plasma insulin levels. These effects of the ACEI were not altered by estrogen plus progestin therapy. Hydrochlorothiazide decreased RPF and increased plasma insulin and uric acid concentrations in hypertensive subjects whom were not receiving estrogen plus progestin therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The unfavorable metabolic and hemodynamic actions of the diuretic were counteracted by estrogen plus progestin therapy. Concomitant estrogen plus progestin therapy may be a method to avoid unfavorable hemodynamic and metabolic effects of thiazide diuretics in hypertensive, postmenopausal women.

Hypertension in pregnancy is associated with elevated homocysteine levels later in life

OBJECTIVE

Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with an elevated cardiovascular disease risk. We examined whether women with a history of hypertension in pregnancy are more likely to have a high level of serum homocysteine decades after pregnancy.

STUDY DESIGN

Serum homocysteine was measured at a mean age of 60 years in nulliparous women (n = 216), and women with a history of normotensive (n = 1825) or hypertensive (n = 401) pregnancies who participated in the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy (GENOA) study. Relationships between homocysteine and pregnancy history were examined by linear and logistic regression, controlling for multiple covariates including personal and family history of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, tobacco use, and demographics.

RESULTS

A history of hypertension in pregnancy, when compared with normotensive pregnancy, was associated with a 4.5% higher serum homocysteine level (P = .015) and 1.60-fold increased odds of having an elevated homocysteine (95% confidence interval, 1.15-2.21; P = .005) after adjusting for potentially confounding covariates. In contrast, a history of normotensive pregnancy, as compared with nulliparity, was associated with a 6.1% lower serum homocysteine level (P = .005) and a 0.49-fold reduced odds of elevated homocysteine levels (95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.74; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Homocysteine levels decades after pregnancy are higher in women with a history of pregnancy hypertension, even after controlling for potential confounders. Thus, pregnancy history may prompt homocysteine assessment and risk modification in an attempt at primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Oral contraceptive plus antiandrogen therapy and cardiometabolic risk in polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Oral contraceptives alone or in combination with antiandrogens are commonly used in the treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We aimed to determine the effects of ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone (EE-DRSP) plus spironolactone therapy on inflammation and cardiometabolic risk in PCOS.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

PATIENTS

Twenty-three lean, normal glucose-tolerant patients with PCOS and 23 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy control women.

MEASUREMENTS

Androgens, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), homocysteine, lipids, fasting insulin, and glucose levels during a standard 75-g, 2-h oral glucose tolerance test were measured. Patients with PCOS were evaluated before and after receiving EE-DRSP (3 mg/30 μg) plus spironolactone (100 mg/day) for 6 months. Healthy controls were evaluated at baseline only.

RESULTS

hsCRP, homocysteine, lipids, insulin and glucose levels were similar between patient and control groups at baseline. EE-DRSP plus spironolactone increased hsCRP and homocysteine levels in patients with PCOS (0.50 ± 0.28 vs 1.5 ± 1.3 mg/l, P < 0.05 and 13.1 ± 5.2 vs 17.6 ± 5.3 μm, P < 0.05, respectively). BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, LDL, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and glucose tolerance did not change. Modified Ferriman-Gallwey hirsutism scores, testosterone levels and free androgen index improved (9.1 ± 4.2 vs 6.2 ± 3.4, P = 0.001; 80.6 ± 31.1 47.8 ± 20.3 ng/dl, P < 0.05; and 10.5 ± 7.4 vs 1.1 ± 0.8, P < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

EE-DRSP plus spironolactone therapy in 6 months improves androgen excess in lean PCOS women without any adverse effects on adiposity, glucose tolerance status or lipid profile. However, this combination increases hsCRP and homocysteine levels.