[Hypocholesterolemic effect of catechol estrogen 2-monomethyl ether].

The hypocholesterolemic effect of 2-methoxyestrone (2-MeOE1), 2-methoxyestriol (2-MeOE3) and estradiol-17 beta (E2-17 beta) was investigated in two experimental systems of normocholesterolemic and dietary hypercholesterolemic rats that had undergone oophorectomy. Each compound was subcutaneously administered for 6 consecutive days at a dose of 10 micrograms per day in the former systems and at 300 micrograms per day in the latter system, respectively. The hypocholesterolemic effect was in the following relation: 2-MeOE3 = E2 - 17 beta greater than 2-MeOE1. In the latter system, the serum total cholesterol level of individual rats in both 2-MeOE3- and E2-17 beta-administered groups returned to normal. No uterotrophic activity was exhibited by either 2-MeOE1 or 2-MeOE3, while E2-17 beta exhibited an anomalous activity. The effect of 2-MeOE1 and 2-MeOE3 on body weight was not exhibited, while E2-17 beta reduced it slightly. The results suggest that catechol estrogen 2-monomethyl ether plays an important role in lipid metabolism through estrogen receptor independent mechanisms and has a pharmacologically important effect on hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.