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Increased leukocyte ABCA1 gene expression in post-menopausal women on hormone replacement therapy
Maryam Darabi1, Mohammed Rabbani, Mohsen Ani
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Insights
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in post-menopausal women significantly increases leukocyte ATP binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) gene expression. This suggests HRT may offer cardiovascular benefits by enhancing cholesterol efflux pathways.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Science
Background:
- ATP binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) is crucial for reverse cholesterol transport, mediating cholesterol efflux to HDL particles.
- Post-menopausal women often experience altered lipid profiles and cardiovascular risk.
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used to manage menopausal symptoms and may impact cardiovascular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of conventional HRT on leukocyte ABCA1 gene expression in post-menopausal women.
- To assess changes in serum lipids and lipoprotein fractions following HRT.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 60 non-obese, normolipidaemic post-menopausal women received oral estrogen and progestin therapy for 3 months.
- Leukocyte ABCA1 mRNA expression and serum lipid/lipoprotein levels were measured before and after HRT.
Main Results:
- HRT significantly increased HDL cholesterol and apoA-I levels.
- HRT significantly decreased apoB and LDL cholesterol levels.
- Leukocyte ABCA1 gene expression showed a significant increase post-HRT, with an inverse association between ABCA1 expression and changes in TG/HDL cholesterol.
Conclusions:
- HRT demonstrably increases ABCA1 gene expression in leukocytes.
- The observed increase in ABCA1 expression may contribute to the beneficial cardiovascular effects of HRT.
- HRT positively modulates lipid profiles, potentially through enhanced cholesterol efflux mechanisms.
Objective:
The ATP binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) is a key participant in the reverse cholesterol process whereby mediates cholesterol efflux directly to HDL particles. The aim of this study was to investigate whether long-term treatment with conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in post-menopausal women could affect their leukocytes ABCA1 expression. Changes in various serum lipids and lipoprotein fractions were also investigated.
Material And Methods:
A total of 60 non-obese normolipidaemic post-menopausal women treated with oral oestrogen together with progestin therapy for 3 months were selected. Leukocytes ABCA1 gene expression and serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations were measured at the start and end of the HRT.
Results:
HRT led to significant increases in HDL cholesterol (P = 0.001) and apoA-I (P = 0.046) and significant decrease in apoB (P = 0.049) and LDL cholesterol (P = 0.022) when compared with the baseline levels. Analysis of leukocytes ABCA1 mRNA showed a significant increase in ABCA1 gene expression after HRT (P = 0.001). There was also a significant inverse association (r = -0.28, P = 0.03) between ABCA1 gene expression and log TG/HDL cholesterol changes related to HRT.
Conclusion:
The beneficial cardiovascular effects of HRT could be explained, at least in part, by increasing the ABCA1 gene expression.
