Estrogen replacement therapy decreases plasma adiponectin but not resistin in postmenopausal women.

The effects of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) to cardiovascular disease risk are still unclear. Low adiponectin and high resistin plasma concentrations are reported to be associated with atherosclerosis. However, it is not known how ERT affects plasma adiponectin and resistin concentrations.

Estrogen replacement therapy increases plasma ghrelin levels.

Ghrelin is a novel peptide hormone that has GH releasing activity and also other endocrine and metabolic functions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of estrogen replacement therapy on plasma active ghrelin levels in 64 hysterectomized postmenopausal women receiving peroral estrogen (PE) or transdermal estrogen therapy for 6 months. Active ghrelin was measured using commercial RIA.

Effects of estrogen replacement therapy on natriuretic peptides and blood pressure.

Objective: Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) has been reported to affect blood pressure. Since natriuretic peptides have natriuretic and vasodilatory activity and also inhibit the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and lower blood pressure, it was hypothesized that the changes in blood pressure effected by ERT might be mediated via changes in natriuretic peptides.

Methods: Fifty-eight postmenopausal hysterectomized women were randomized in a double-blind, double-dummy study to receive either peroral estradiol valerate 2 mg/day or transdermal estradiol gel containing 1 mg estradiol/day for 6 months.