Hormone replacement therapy and urinary prostaglandins in postmenopausal women

Abstract

The objective of the study was to observe the effects of hormone replacement therapy upon urinary prostaglandin E 2 and prostaglandin F 2 α levels in postmenopausal patients. A total number of 55 women were enrolled in this study and 15 premenopausal (PreM) healthy subjects constitute the control group. A total of 40 patients at least 12 months after their natural menopause were divided into two groups: 15 of them was not medicated hormone replacement therapy (which composed NRHRT group) while 25 of the rest, received conjugated estrogen (Premarin) 0.625 mg/day orally plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (Farlutal) 10 mg/day orally built up the RHRT group. PGE 2 and PGF 2 α levels were measured with PGE 2 [ 125I] and PGF 2 α [ 3H] RIA kits. Statistical significance was analyzed by Student’s t-test for impaired data. NRHRT and RHRT patients had had increased urinary PGE 2 levels when compared with PreM ( P<0.001). HRT caused a significant decrease in PGE 2 levels in menopausal women ( P<0.001). Urinary PGF 2 α values of NRHRT and RHRT were significantly lower ( P<0.001) in comparison with PreM group. There was no difference in PGF 2 α values between two postmenopausal groups. HRT given to postmenopausal patients might have a positive impact on prostaglandins and therefore on bone turnover in a series of various mechanisms.