ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effect of either oral or transdermal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on haemostatic, fibrinolytic and lipid profiles in a group of Brazilian women 3 months after beginning treatment by comparing these results with those obtained immediately before HRT. METHODS: Plasma levels of TAT, DDi, F1+2, PC, PS, AT, PAI-1 and serum lipids were determined in blood samples collected from 24 women undergoing oral HRT and from 11 women undergoing transdermal HRT. RESULTS: Significant increases in DDi and F1+2 plasma levels were observed after 3 months of oral HRT, while PS levels decreased. After transdermal HRT, a significant decrease was observed only for AT levels. CONCLUSION: After 3 months of oral HRT and in the absence of major genetic and acquired risk factors, women displayed a predisposition for activation of blood coagulation, and an increased activity of the fibrinolytic system. Oral HRT seemed to be more effective in predisposing haemostatic changes as compared to transdermal.
Subject(s)
Hormone Replacement Therapy/adverse effects , Lipids/blood , Thrombophilia/chemically induced , Administration, Cutaneous , Administration, Oral , Aged , Biomarkers/blood , Blood Coagulation , Brazil/epidemiology , Female , Fibrinolysis , Hemostasis/drug effects , Humans , Middle Aged , Postmenopause , Thrombophilia/bloodABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Various inherited or acquired conditions can lead to mild or severe hyperhomocysteinemia, which has toxic effects on the vascular endothelium. It has been reported that hormone replacement therapy is associated with decreased homocysteine plasma levels, but this is still a controversial issue. PURPOSE: To compare homocysteine plasma levels in women before and after 3 months of oral hormone replacement therapy. METHODS: Twenty-four women were selected to take part in the study. Blood samples were collected immediately before hormone replacement therapy (cyclic association of 2 mg of estradiol valerate and 1 mg of cyproterone acetate) and three months after the beginning of hormone replacement therapy. Samples collected before hormone replacement therapy were used as controls. Plasma homocysteine levels and the presence of C677T mutation in the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene were evaluated in all participants. RESULTS: The methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene mutation was detected in 8 women (33.3%) in heterozygosis, in 3 (12.5%) in homozygosis, and 13 women (54.2%) did not present the mutation. No significant differences were observed in homocysteine levels before and after three months of oral hormone replacement therapy, regardless of the C677T genotype. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained indicate that homocysteine plasma levels are not affected after three months of oral hormone replacement therapy.
