LIPOPROTEIN(A) AND POSTMENOPAUSAL ESTROGEN

Epidemiological studies have shown that postmenopausal oestrogen therapy substantially reduces the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and this is partly mediated by oestrogen-associated changes in lipoproteins. particularly high-density lipoprotein. In this study, we investigated whether changes in lipoprotein(a) might help to account for the reduction in coronary heart disease and stroke associated with postmenopausal oestrogen therapy. The study group consisted of 18 women who had hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy at least 2 months prior to recruitment and had received no previous hormonal therapy. Serum samples were collected for measurement of lipoprotein(a) before and after 4 months of treatment with oestradiol valerate (2 mg/day). Lipoprotein(a) levels ranged from 35 to 720 mg/l (median 180 mg/1) before treatment and from 55 to 780 mg/l (median 130 mg/l) after oestradiol treatment and showed no consistent pattern of change. It would appear, therefore, that treatment with unopposed oestrogen in relatively low doses does not have a marked effect on lipoprotein(a), at least in the short term.