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The relationship between plasma viscosity and cholesterol in postmenopausal women on hormone replacement therapy
D Konukoglu1, O Serin, M Ercan
1Department of Biochemistry of Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, University of Istanbul, Turkey. dkonuk@yahoo.com
Insights
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women significantly reduces plasma viscosity, particularly in those with normal cholesterol levels. This finding may explain HRT
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Women's Health
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease risk escalates post-menopause.
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may mitigate coronary heart disease risk.
- Mechanisms underlying HRT's cardiovascular benefits remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of HRT on plasma viscosity and cholesterol in postmenopausal women.
- To explore the relationship between HRT, plasma viscosity, and cholesterol levels.
Main Methods:
- Study included 60 postmenopausal women: 30 HRT users and 30 non-users.
- Participants were categorized by plasma cholesterol levels: hypercholesterolemic and normocholesterolemic.
- Plasma viscosity, cholesterol, fibrinogen, and triglyceride levels were measured.
Main Results:
- Plasma viscosity was highest in hypercholesterolemic HRT users and lowest in normocholesterolemic HRT users.
- A significant positive correlation was observed between plasma viscosity and cholesterol levels in HRT users (r=0.76, p<0.001).
- No significant differences in fibrinogen or triglyceride levels were found between HRT users and non-users.
Conclusions:
- HRT demonstrates a beneficial effect on plasma viscosity in postmenopausal women.
- This effect is most pronounced in normocholesterolemic individuals.
- Reduced plasma viscosity may contribute to the cardioprotective effects of HRT.
Abstract:
In women, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality sharply increase after the onset of menopause. There is substantial evidence that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may decrease the risk of coronary heart disease; however the mechanism is unclear. We investigated the relationship between HRT and plasma viscosity as well as cholesterol levels in postmenopausal women. 30 women were using HRT (HRT users), and 30 women were not using HRT (non-users). According to the classification of their plasma cholesterol levels, 30 women were hypercholesterolemic levels (hypercholesterolemic users n = 15, and hypercholesterolemic non-users n = 15), and the others were normocholesterolemic levels. While the highest plasma viscosity was measured in hypercholesterolemic users (1.291 +/- 0.053 cP), the lowest plasma viscosity was measured in normocholesterolemic users (1.127 +/- 0.056 cP). There was a significant correlation between plasma viscosity and cholesterol levels in the women on HRT (r = 0.76, p < 0.001). We have not found a difference neither in fibrinogen levels nor in triglycerides between users and non-users. These data demonstrated that HRT has beneficial effect on plasma viscosity; mainly in normocholesterolemic post menopausal women.