Hippokratia 2000, 4(1):33-38
A. Kourtis, K. Makedou, A. Hitoglou, M. Kourti, I. Kalahanis, D. Panidis
Abstract
This prospective study was designed in order to estimate the influence of long-term conjugated estrogen administration (24 months) upon total serum cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels. Eighteen women, aged from 46 to 64 years, who had total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingho-oopho-rectomy for benign surgical indications, 1-300 months ago, were studied. At 9 a.m, blood samples were drawn and the serum TC, HDL-, LDL-cholesterol and TG levels were determined. The next day, conjugated estrogens (Premarin?), in a dose of 0.625 mg per day, were administered for a period of two years. Blood samples for the determination of the previously mentioned parameters were drawn 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months after Premarin? administration. It was found that: a) TC levels were significantly decreased within 9 months from the beginning of the treatment, b) HDL levels were progressively elevated with a statistical significance at 6, 9 and 24 months, c) LDL levels were significantly decreased within the first 12 months and then they were elevated at their baseline value, and d) TG levels did not substantially vary. Our results lend further support to the view that long-term conjugated estrogen administration is favorable to lipid metabolism and, consequently, it may have a counter effect upon the cardiovascular diseases risk factors.