Effects of Intranasal Estradiol Treatment on Serum Lipoprotein(a) and Lipids in Hysterectomized Women

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of intranasal estradiol on lipid metabolism and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels. A prospective comparative study was designed: 49 hysterectomized, healthy postmenopausal women received intranasal 17beta-estradiol (E2; 300 microg/day). Blood samples were collected at baseline and at the end of the 3 and 6 months of therapy. After 6 months, the serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides did not show any significant change with intranasal 17beta-E2 therapy. HDL-cholesterol levels at 3 and 6 months of treatment were significantly increased compared with baseline levels (p = 0.031, p = 0.000, respectively). There was a significant change in serum Lp(a) levels at the 6th month (p = 0.003) but not at the 3rd month (p = 0.183) compared with the baseline levels. Further studies are needed to detect whether these changes are significant and permanent or not.