17ss oestradiol does not attenuate the response to angiotensin I and II during long term therapy in postmenopausal women.

Purpose: It is thought that oestrogen replacement therapy may reduce the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II in postmenopausal women by inhibiting angiotensin converting enzyme. We sought to determine the effects of 3 months oestrogen replacement therapy (ERT) on the response to angiotensin I and II in postmenopausal women.

Methods: Eighteen postmenopausal women were randomised to either three months of 2 mg oral oestradiol or placebo in a double blind, placebo controlled, protocol.