What is the influence of hormone therapy on homocysteine and crp levels in postmenopausal women?

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the influence of estrogen therapy and estrogen-progestin therapy on homocysteine and C-reactive protein levels in postmenopausal women.

Methods: In total, 99 postmenopausal women were included in this double-blind, randomized clinical trial and divided into three groups: Group A used estrogen therapy alone (2.0 mg of 17β-estradiol), Group B received estrogen-progestin therapy (2.0 mg of 17 β-estradiol +1.0 mg of norethisterone acetate) and Group C received a placebo (control). The length of treatment was six months. Serum measurements of homocysteine and C-reactive protein were carried out prior to the onset of treatment and following six months of therapy.

Results: After six months of treatment, there was a 20.7% reduction in homocysteine levels and a 100.5% increase in C-reactive protein levels in the group of women who used estrogen therapy. With respect to the estrogen-progestin group, there was a 12.2% decrease in homocysteine levels and a 93.5% increase in C-reactive protein levels.

Conclusion: Our data suggested that hormone therapy (unopposed estrogen or estrogen associated with progestin) may have a positive influence on decreasing cardiovascular risk due to a significant reduction in homocysteine levels.

Figure 1

Graphical representation of homocysteine values during the study: a) baseline; b) after six months of treatment; c) delta {(Δ =  [(value after treatment - baseline value)/baseline value * 100]}. *p<0.01 compared with the other groups; **p<0.01 compared with the placebo group.

Figure 2

Graphical representation of C-reactive protein values during the study: a) baseline; b) after six months of treatment; c) delta {(Δ =  [(value after treatment - baseline value)/baseline value * 100]}. *p<0.01 compared with the other groups; **p<0.01 compared with the placebo group.