[The effect of estrogen deficiency, estrogen and estro-progestagene therapy on total plasma homocysteine and serum lipid peroxide levels in postmenopausal women].

OBJECTIVES

Elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) concentration is a risk factor for atherosclerosis and venous thrombosis.

DESIGN

an observational study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

120 healthy women were recruited and divided in two subgroups--postmenopausal women (M-80 women) and premenopausal women (40 women) with normal menstruation as control group. 26 women with surgical menopause were treated with percutaneous estrogen therapy and remaining 54 women were treated with estro-progestagen replacement therapy. Measurements of FSH and estradiol was made using radioimmunoassay. HCY was assessed using enzymatic conversion method.

RESULTS

Concentrations of Hcy and lipid peroxides (LPO) in postmenopausal study group were higher than in the premenopausal. Treatment with estradiol (E2) alone or in combination with medroxyprogesterone acetate decreased LPO and Hcy concentrations to levels observed in premenopausal group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that estrogens have a profound influence on Hcy and LPO levels. Reduction in Hcy levels after treatment lowers the production of free radicals and thus contributes to lipid peroxidation decrease and LPO levels reduction after therapy. A practical conclusion may be proposed: in postmenopausal women with elevated Hcy levels who require hormonal replacement therapy, Hcy level control is indicated in order to administer such a therapy, which decreases Hcy concentrations.