Effects of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist leuprolide on lipoproteins, fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The impact of chronic administration of the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist leuprolide depot on cardiovascular risk factors was investigated in a controlled double-blind study comprising 50 evaluable patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. In the 26 patients receiving leuprolide the mean total cholesterol level increased by 10.6%, high density lipoprotein cholesterol by 8.2% and triglycerides by 26.9% (p = 0.003, 0.052 and 0.050, respectively). Low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were unchanged. Apolipoprotein A1 increased by 13.2% (p = 0.001), while apolipoprotein B, fibrinogen, thrombocytes and plasminogen activator inhibitor were unchanged. Hemoglobin decreased by 1.2 gm./100 ml. without a concomitant decrease in serum erythropoietin concentration. These changes act in different directions with regard to cardiovascular risk and the overall effect is difficult to assess.