Effect of oral estradiol on Lp(a) and other lipoproteins in postmenopausal women. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.

Background: Lp(a) lipoprotein level is an independent risk factor for premature coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular accident. Concentrations of this lipoprotein tend to increase after menopause.

Objective: To determine whether oral estrogen was effective in lowering concentrations of Lp(a) lipoprotein in postmenopausal women.

Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study was conducted during a 12-month period in 100 postmenopausal women who had undergone hysterectomy. They were randomized into two groups: group 1 received oral estradiol, 2 mg/d, for the first 6 months and placebo for the second, and group 2 received these treatments in the reverse order. After completion of the crossover study, the effect of prolonged administration of oral estradiol was examined by placing all patients on active treatment and repeating the lipoprotein measurements approximately 12 months later.

Results: No significant differences were noted between the two groups at the commencement of the study (median concentration of Lp[a] lipoprotein, 10.78 mg/dL [range, 2.2 to 108.5 mg/dL] in group 1 and 12.74 mg/dL [range, 0.8 to 98.1 mg/dL] in group 2). Crossover analysis showed a 9.62% reduction in values of Lp(a) lipoprotein with estradiol treatment compared with placebo during 12 months of treatment (P < .001). With prolonged treatment, the median concentration of Lp(a) lipoprotein for those in group 1 decreased from 8.12 mg/dL (range, 1.05 to 57.4 mg/dL) to 5.77 mg/dL (range, 0.84 to 75.39 mg/dL) (P < .001). In group 2, the median concentration decreased from 8.19 mg/dL (range, 2.52 to 99.82 mg/dL) to 7.07 mg/dL (range, 0.70 to 48.79 mg/dL), but this difference was not significant (P = .63).

Conclusions: The results of this study confirm the beneficial effect of oral estradiol on the basic lipoprotein pattern and demonstrate that this treatment is effective in reducing concentrations of Lp(a) lipoprotein in postmenopausal women.