Hormone replacement therapy can augment vascular relaxation in post-menopausal women with type 2 diabetes

Perera, M., Petrie, J. , Hillier, C., Small, M., Sattar, N., Connell, J. and Lumsden, M. (2002) Hormone replacement therapy can augment vascular relaxation in post-menopausal women with type 2 diabetes. Human Reproduction, 17(2), pp. 497-502. (doi: 10.1093/humrep/17.2.497)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease in women and event rates increase substantially after the menopause. Observational studies have suggested that estrogens may provide cardioprotection by regulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase. METHODS: In order to examine the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on endothelium-dependent and -independent vascular relaxation in post-menopausal women with type 2 diabetes, an open study was conducted in which gluteal biopsies were collected from 17 women before and after 6 months of transdermal 17β-estradiol (80 μg twice weekly) in combination with oral norethisterone (1 mg daily). Small arteries (<550 μm) were dissected from fat and mounted on a wire myograph for assessment of relaxation in response to acetylcholine (ACh), bradykinin (BK) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). RESULTS: Maximal relaxation responses to ACh, BK and SNP in women with diabetes and non-diabetic control subjects were 52 ± 8 versus 96 ± 2% (P < 0.05), 76 ± 7 versus 97 ± 1%, (P < 0.05) and 91 ± 2 versus 98 ± 1% (P < 0.05) respectively. After 6 months of HRT, maximal relaxation responses to ACh, BK and SNP in women with diabetes (compared with pre-HRT) were: 88 ± 4 (P < 0.05), 93 ± 3 (P < 0.05) and 98 ± 1% (P < 0.05) respectively. At baseline and after HRT, EC50 (concentration required to obtain 50% of maximum response) data exhibited similar changes. CONCLUSIONS: HRT had potentially beneficial effects on vascular relaxation. Data were consistent with improvements in endothelial function, vascular smooth muscle function, or both. Controlled studies are required to confirm and extend these findings.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Lumsden, Professor Mary and Petrie, Professor John and Connell, Professor John and Sattar, Professor Naveed
Authors: Perera, M., Petrie, J., Hillier, C., Small, M., Sattar, N., Connell, J., and Lumsden, M.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Clinical Specialities
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
Journal Name:Human Reproduction
ISSN:0268-1161

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record