Short-term hormone replacement therapy: reduced plasma levels of soluble adhesion molecules

Background Epidemiological data have suggested that the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. Vascular endothelium and adhesion molecules play an important role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Material and methods Prospective, randomized, placebo‐controlled 12‐week study. Sixty healthy, normotensive postmenopausal women received either micronised oestradiol 2 mg alone (n = 16, E2 group), or sequentially combined with a progestagen; E2 + P groups trimegestone 0.5 mg (E2 + T, n = 14) or dydrogesterone 10 mg (E2 + D group, n = 14) or placebo (n = 16). Data were collected at baseline and at 4 and 12 weeks. Results Twelve weeks of treatment with E2 or E2 + P was associated with a significant decrease in the plasma concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (sICAM‐1), vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (sVCAM‐1), and thrombomodulin (sTM). The average decrease in these markers was about 9%. In women treated with trimegestone the decreases were larger than in those treated with dydrogesterone; for sICAM‐1 (−15% vs. −2%; P