A comparative study of effects of tibolone, conjugated equine estrogen alone or combination with medroxyprogesterone acetate on plasma homocysteine levels in postmenopausal women

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of estrogen, estrogen combined with progesterone or tibolon on serum total homocysteine levels, an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disorders, in postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: In a randomised order, healthy, non-smoking postmenopausal women were included in the study. They received either conjugated equine estrogen 0.625 mg alone (CEE, n=16), CEE combined with medroxyprogesterone actate 5mg (CEE/MPA, n=20) or tibolon 2.5 mg (n=10). Treatments were given for three treatment cycles of 28 days (3 months). Plasma levels of homocysteine were measured at baseline and 3 months after the start of the study. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant change in plasma homocysteine levels in the only estrogen-treated group, sequentially combined CEE plus MPA-treated group and tibolone group. CONCLUCION: Neither CEE alone nor combination of CEE with MPA or tibolone treatment causes significant changes in plasma homocysteine levels in postmenopausal women with normal baseline homocysteine levels.