Novel low-dosage hormonal replacement therapy complements dietary treatment of moderately hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women

Bernard M. Wolfe
Jeffrey A. Nisker
Linda C. Hutton
Brian K. Rutt

Departments of Medicine, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, and Radiology, University Hospital and the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario

(Original manuscript submitted 14/10/94; received in revised form 7/4/95; accepted 12/4/95)

Abstract

It is not known whether female hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) influences fasting plasma lipoprotein lipids in diet-treated hypercholesterolemic subjects. Thirteen moderately hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women were studied during dietary treatment alone with a low fat, low cholesterol diet for the 3 months and during the subsequent 2 y of HRT with dl-norgestrel (0.075 mg daily) and estradiol-17beta (1 mg, 25 of 28 days) with maintenance of the same diet. Hormonal replacement therapy decreased plasma total cholesterol by 11 ą 3% (5.7 vs. 6.4 mmol/L, p < 0.005), due to a 17 ą 3% mean reduction (p < 0.001) in the concentration of plasma low density lipoprotein cholesterol (3.9 vs. 4.7 mmol/L, p < 0.001). The ratio of plasma total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein cholesterol fell significantly by 17 ą 4% (4.1 vs. 4.9, p < 0.005). Mean fasting plasma concentrations of total triglycerides (1.1 vs. 1.6 mmol/L, p < 0.005) fell by 31 ą 6%, and very low density lipoprotein triglycerides (0.56 vs. 0.83 mmol/L, p < 0.02) by 33 ą 9%. Hormonal replacement therapy was well-tolerated, improved mood levels, and increased the mineral content of the vertebral spine significantly, while effectively relieving vasomotor flushing. Hormonal replacement therapy complements the dietary treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

Clin Invest Med 1995; 18 (5): 362-369

Table of contents: CIM vol. 18, no. 5