CERULOPLASMIN SERUM LEVEL IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN TREATED WITH ORAL ESTROGENS ADMINISTERED AT DIFFERENT TIMES

The liver is an estrogen-responsive organ and the administration of estrogens in humans increases the hepatic synthesis of many proteins. The existence of a circadian rhythm of estrogen receptors in the liver has been proved by different authors. We studied the presence of a different responsiveness of the human liver to the estrogens in two groups of post-menopausal women by evaluating the changes in ceruloplasmin serum level. Conjugated equine estrogens were administered at different times (A: 8 a.m. and B: 8 p.m.). The replacement therapy increased ceruloplasmin serum levels both in group A and B, but the increase was higher in group B than in group A. These data reflect indirectly the presence of a circadian rhythm of hepatic responsiveness to the estrogens.