Key result
Low-dose continuous combined HRT had no detectable effect on pulse wave velocity, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, or resistance vessel function in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes.
Why the study?
Does oral 17beta oestradiol and norethisterone improve vascular function in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes?
RCT (n=28)
Double-blind
randomised
Does oral 17beta oestradiol and norethisterone improve vascular function in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes?
Low-dose continuous combined HRT does not improve measures of endothelial function in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes.
No vascular benefit from low-dose HRT in this population; challenges assumptions of endothelial improvement in diabetic postmenopausal women.
BACKGROUND: Improvement in vascular endothelial function is widley cited as a beneficial effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Women with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are at increased cardiovascular risk and have impaired endothelial function. Any benefits of HRT on endothelial function in this group are of particular interest. OBJECTIVES: We assessed effects on vascular function of oral 17beta oestradiol (1 mg) and norethisterone (0.5 mg) in postmenopausal women with T2DM. DESIGN: Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. ASSESSMENTS: Twenty-eight women had pulse wave velocity (PWV) and adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 assessed before and after three months' treatment. Twenty-four women also had gluteal fat biopsy for assessment of resistance vessel function (using wire myography). RESULTS: HRT did not affect PWV, VCAM-1, ICAM-1 or carbachol response. Effects of L-NAME and indomethacin on carbachol sensitivity were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: This HRT preparation had no detectable effect on these measures of endothelial function in women with T2DM.
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Kernohan et al. (2004) conducted an RCT in Type 2 diabetes (n=28). Low-dose continuous combined HRT (oral 17beta oestradiol and norethisterone) vs. Placebo was evaluated on Vascular function (pulse wave velocity, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and resistance vessel function). Low-dose continuous combined HRT had no detectable effect on pulse wave velocity, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, or resistance vessel function in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes.
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