Perimenopausal Transdermal Estradiol Replacement Reduces Serum HDL Cholesterol Efflux Capacity But I

In view of the uncertainty concerning the cardiovascular (CV) safety of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in perimenopausal women, researchers here examined how transdermal ERT affects HDL composition and cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC), as well as the relationships between these metrics and CV risk factors. From 101 healthy, perimenopausal women randomized to receive either transdermal placebo or transdermal estradiol (100 μg/24 hr) with intermittent micronized progesterone, they obtained fasting plasma samples at baseline and after 6 months of treatment for measuring serum HDL CEC, HDL particle concentration, HDL protein composition, insulin resistance and brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). Per findings, an increase in serum HDL CEC, noted in correlation with natural menopause, is abrogated by transdermal ERT. However, favorable changes in major CV risk factors appeared because of transdermal ERT.

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