Lipids and lipoproteins in women after oophorectomy and the response to oestrogen therapy

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Abstract
The short-term effects of different types and doses of oestrogen on serum lipids and lipoproteins were studied in 35 oophorectomized women. After 3 months treatment, serum cholesterol levels were unaffected by 1 and 2 mg of micronized 17 beta-oestradiol or 0.625 and 1.25 mg of conjugated equine oestrogens. Triglyceride levels were significantly elevated after treatment with 1.25 mg of conjugated oestrogens. A trend towards a higher relative proportion of high-density lipoproteins and a lower relative proportion of low-density lipoproteins was observed for all four oestrogen regimens, however, statistical significance was not achieved. The proportion of very-low-density lipoprotein was unaffected by oestrogen treatment. The age of the oophorectomized women was found to have no effect on either the direction or magnitude of the lipid or lipoprotein responses to oestrogen. Using FSH depression as an index, 1.25 mg of conjugated oestrogens was found to be the most potent of the four oestrogen regimens tested. Therefore, with respect to lipid balance, little additional clinical benefit is achieved by using a more potent regimen and the risk of adverse side effects may be increased.