This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 105/12/1436    most recent hc1202.105945v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wakatsuki, A. Articles by Fukaya, T. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Wakatsuki, A. Articles by Fukaya, T. Related Collections Pathophysiology Acute coronary syndromes

(Circulation. 2002;105:1436.)
© 2002 American Heart Association, Inc.

Effect of Medroxyprogesterone Acetate on Vascular Inflammatory Markers in Postmenopausal Women Receiving Estrogen

Akihiko Wakatsuki, MD; Yuji Okatani, MD; Nobuo Ikenoue, MD; Takao Fukaya, MD

From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi, Japan.

Correspondence to Akihiko Wakatsuki, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kochi Medical School, Oko cho, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan, 783-8505. E-mail wakatuki{at}kochi-ms.ac.jp

	Abstract

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Conclusions References

 
Background— Estrogen increases C-reactive protein (CRP) in postmenopausal women. Estrogen also decreases cell adhesion molecules, whereas elevated CRP stimulates the expression of cell adhesion molecules. Because androgens have antiinflammatory effects, androgenic progestins such as medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) may inhibit proinflammatory effects of estrogen. We investigated the effects of MPA on estrogen-induced changes in acute inflammatory proteins and cell adhesion molecules in postmenopausal women.

Methods and Results— Postmenopausal women were treated daily with conjugated equine estrogen (CEE, 0.625 mg), CEE plus MPA 2.5 mg, or CEE plus MPA 5.0 mg for 3 months. CEE significantly increased CRP concentrations by 320.1±210.2% (P<0.05). The addition of MPA to CEE, however, inhibited the increase in CRP in a concentration-dependent manner (MPA 2.5 mg, 169.8±66.9%, P<0.05; MPA 5 mg, 55.0±30.4%, not significant). Similarly, CEE increased amyloid A protein concentrations, whereas MPA reversed this effect. Interleukin-6 concentration did not change significantly in any treatment group. CEE alone significantly decreased the concentration of E-selectin, but the concentrations of intercellular adhesion molecule and vascular cellular adhesion molecule did not change significantly. The addition of MPA tended to decrease the levels of cell adhesion molecules, and use of 5.0 mg MPA showed significant decreases in all cell-adhesion molecule concentrations.

Conclusions— Concurrent MPA administration may attenuate estrogen’s proinflammatory effect. Because MPA in combination with CEE decreased cell adhesion molecule concentrations, the anti-inflammatory effect of MPA may actually be responsible for the favorable effect of estrogen-progestogen combinations on cell adhesion molecules in postmenopausal women.

Key Words: cell adhesion molecules • hormones • inflammation • lipoproteins • women

	Introduction

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Conclusions References

 
Vascular inflammation has been considered an important part of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Increased C-reactive protein (CRP), a circulating marker of inflammation, is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in healthy postmenopausal women.¹ Myocardial events and ischemic stroke can be predicted by elevated CRP.²

Postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) has beneficial effects on plasma lipids, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, and hemostatic factors. In addition, estrogen favorably affects endothelial function by increasing expression of endothelial NO synthase,³ leading to increased endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Long-term postmenopausal ERT significantly reduced mortality from congestive heart disease (CHD) and other cardiovascular disease.⁴ In contrast, the Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study (HERS) demonstrated that estrogen and progestin therapy did not reduce the overall rate of coronary events in postmenopausal women with established coronary disease.⁵ Estrogen has been reported to elevate plasma concentrations of CRP.^6,7 Because elevated CRP may be associated with plaque destabilization and rupture, a proinflammatory effect of estrogen might explain the increased number of cardiovascular events demonstrated in women with existing cardiovascular disease during the first year of the HERS trial. ERT has been reported to decrease the concentrations of cell adhesion molecules.⁸ However, a recent study has demonstrated that elevated CRP induces expression of human endothelial cell–derived adhesion molecules, such as vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, and E-selectin.⁹ Accordingly, it is likely to be possible that estrogen-induced increase in CRP may offset the favorable effect of estrogen on cell adhesion molecules.

Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is commonly used as a progestin combined with estrogen to reduce the risks for endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma in postmenopausal women who have not undergone hysterectomy¹⁰ and was the hormone combination used in the HERS trial. Parkar et al¹¹ have demonstrated that androgens have anti-inflammatory effects. Because synthetic progestins such as MPA also have androgenic effects, concurrent MPA administration may inhibit the proinflammatory effect of estrogen.

In the present study, we investigated the effects of clinically used doses of MPA combined with estrogen on vascular inflammatory markers and cell adhesion molecules in postmenopausal women.

	Methods

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Conclusions References

 
Subjects
We studied 45 naturally postmenopausal Japanese women with the following characteristics: mean age, 52 years (range, 40 to 60); mean body mass index (BMI), 21.8 kg/m² (range, 17.7 to 23.5); and mean menopausal interval, 3.8 years (range, 2 to 7). No subject had undergone ovariectomy, and none of the subjects had menstruated for at least 1 year. None of the subjects smoked, used caffeine or alcohol, or had a history of hypertension, thyroid disease, liver disease, diabetes mellitus, or cardiovascular disease, and none were presently taking any medication known to influence lipoprotein metabolism. None of the subjects received ERT before the study. No subject underwent exercise or dietary therapy before the study. Written informed consent was obtained from each subject before participation. The ethics committee of Kochi Medical School approved the study design. Patients were randomly assigned in open, parallel-group fashion to 3 treatment groups. For 3 months, subjects in the conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) group received 0.625 mg of oral CEE daily (n=15), whereas those in the CEE+MPA 2.5 group received CEE 0.625 mg plus MPA 2.5 mg daily (n=15) and those in the CEE+MPA 5.0 group received CEE 0.625 mg plus MPA 5.0 mg daily (n=15). Endometrial biopsies were performed before and after treatment in all subjects.

Laboratory Assays
Before and at completion of treatments, venous blood samples were obtained between 8:00 and 10:00 AM after a 12-hour fast. The concentrations of total cholesterol and triglyceride were measured by enzymatic methods as previously described.¹² The concentration of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)s cholesterol was determined by similar methods after apolipoprotein B–containing lipoproteins had been precipitated with sodium phosphotungstate in the presence of magnesium chloride.¹³ Using ultracentrifugation according to the method of Havel et al,¹⁴ LDL (density, 1.019 to 1.063) was fractionated from plasma samples (<24 hours). Concentrations of LDL cholesterol were assayed enzymatically.¹² The concentrations of estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and progesterone were measured using radioimmunoassays.

The concentrations of high sensitive (hs) CRP was analyzed using the Behring Latex-Enhanced CRP assay on the Behring Nephelometer Analyzer System (Dade Behring). Serum amyloid A protein (SAA) concentrations were determined by a latex agglutination turbidimetric immunoassay. Assays for ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin were analyzed with an ELISA kit. The concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured by chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay.

Statistical Analysis
Data are expressed as mean±SEM. Differences between the 3 groups in baseline subject characteristics, lipid and hormone concentrations, inflammatory markers, and cell adhesion molecules were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Treatment-induced changes in these parameters were analyzed by Student’s paired t test. A value of P<0.05 was accepted as statistically significant.

	Results

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Conclusions References

 
General Physiological Characteristics
Histological analysis of endometrial biopsy specimens did not demonstrate hyperplasia in any patient either before or after treatment. ANOVA between the 3 groups showed no significant differences in age, BMI, baseline concentrations of lipids, hormone concentrations, inflammatory markers, and cell adhesion molecules. BMI did not change significantly during the study period in the 3 treatment groups.

Lipid and Hormone Concentrations
The total and LDL cholesterol concentrations were significantly reduced after treatment in all 3 groups. The HDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were significantly increased in the CEE and CEE+MPA 2.5 groups compared with baseline. These concentrations, however, did not increase significantly in the CEE+MPA 5.0 group. The concentrations of E1 and E2 were significantly increased by all treatments, whereas progesterone concentration did not change significantly (Table 1).

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 1. Plasma Lipids, Estrogen, and Progesterone Concentrations

Inflammatory Markers and Cell Adhesion Molecules
Concentrations of hs-CRP and SAA were significantly increased in both CEE and CEE+MPA 2.5 groups, whereas no significant change was observed in the CEE+MPA 5.0 group. The concentration of hs-CRP was decreased in parallel with MPA dose. The concentration of IL-6 did not change in any treatment group (Table 2). Concentration of E-selectin was significantly decreased in the CEE group, but concentrations of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 did not change significantly. Concentrations of ICAM-1 and E-selectin, but not VCAM-1, were significantly reduced in the CEE+MPA 2.5 group. In the CEE+MPA 5.0 group, concentrations of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin were all significantly reduced (Table 3).

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 2. Plasma Concentrations of Inflammatory Markers

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 3. Concentrations of Cell Adhesion Molecules

	Discussion

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Conclusions References

 
Lipids
CEE alone or in combination with MPA reduced total and LDL cholesterol concentrations to a similar degree, indicating that MPA may not alter estrogen-induced reduction in LDL cholesterol. The addition of MPA, however, significantly reduced CEE-induced increases in the concentrations of plasma HDL cholesterol in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that MPA may offset estrogen’s favorable effects on HDL cholesterol, consistent with findings of the Postmenopausal Estrogen Progesterone Intervention trial.¹⁵ In contrast, MPA reduced estrogen-induced increase in plasma triglycerides. Progestin has been reported to decrease the plasma concentrations of triglyceride and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in subjects with hypertriglyceridemia.¹⁶ We previously demonstrated that estrogen therapy reduced the size of LDL particles and enhanced LDL peroxidation in postmenopausal subjects whose plasma triglyceride concentrations were increased.¹⁷ Although estrogen has an antioxidant effect that inhibits oxidation of LDL particles, this benefit can be offset by hypertriglyceridemia-induced small LDL particles that are highly susceptible to oxidative modification.¹⁷ In the present study, we did not measure particle diameter and oxidative susceptibility of LDL; however, MPA-induced decrease in plasma triglycerides may preserve the antioxidant effect of estrogen on LDL oxidation.

Markers of Inflammation
The present study demonstrated that CEE increased acute inflammatory proteins such as CRP and SAA. Because elevated CRP is a risk factor for future cardiovascular events,² estrogen’s proinflammatory effect may increase plaque vulnerability and may lead to the increased cardiovascular events. Adding MPA, however, blunted the CEE-induced increase in these proteins in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings indicate that MPA may inhibit a proinflammatory effect of estrogen. Most studies have demonstrated that HRT elevates plasma concentrations of CRP.^6,7 However, in one clinical trial where transdermal estradiol was combined with norethisterone, a 19-nortestosterone progestogen with androgenic properties, CRP concentration in women with type II diabetes was decreased.¹⁸ Because androgens have been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects¹¹ and synthetic progestins such as MPA also have androgenic effects, MPA may reduce CRP concentration in a similar manner.

Inflammatory stimuli induce IL-6 production that in turn stimulates hepatic secretion of CRP. In the present study, plasma levels of IL-6 did not change in any treatment group. Therefore, it is unlikely that IL-6 has a principal role in estrogen-induced increases in CRP. Because estrogen directly passes hepatic circulation when estrogen is administered orally, estrogen’s hepatic stimulation may result in an increased production of CRP. Although smoking¹⁹ and obesity²⁰ are factors known to influence CRP levels, none of the subjects smoked, and BMI did not change during the study period in any treatment group. Additional studies are needed to clarify the mechanism behind estrogen-induced increases in CRP.

Although CRP and SAA are markers of the acute inflammatory response, CRP may have a direct role in the pathogenesis in the development of atherosclerosis. Specially, CRP activates the complement cascade²¹ and has been colocalized with complement components in atherosclerotic lesions of human coronary arteries.²² CRP stimulates the release of inflammatory cytokines²³ and induces tissue factor expression from human monocytes.²⁴ In addition, a recent study has demonstrated that CRP induces the expression of cell adhesion molecules.⁹

Cell Adhesion Molecules
Cell adhesion molecules, once expressed on the surfaces of endothelial cell or leukocytes after cytokine stimulation, are shed from the surface within 24 hours.²⁵ Plasma levels of cell adhesion molecules are associated with the extent of atherosclerosis and the occurrence of coronary events.²⁶ Concentrations of cell adhesion molecules increase after menopause, whereas HRT has been reported to decrease plasma levels of cell adhesion molecules,⁸ which may lead to the reduction in the risk of CHD in postmenopausal women. In the present study, however, CEE alone did not decrease ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 concentrations. Because CRP induces adhesion molecule expression, favorable effects of estrogen on cell adhesion molecules could be offset by estrogen-induced increases in CRP. Addition of MPA tended to decrease the concentrations of cell adhesion molecule. MPA 5.0 mg combined with CEE significantly reduced all concentrations of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin. Thus, MPA-induced reduction in CRP seems to preserve estrogen’s favorable effect on cell adhesion molecules. According to Otsuki et al,²⁷ progesterone but not MPA inhibits VCAM-1 expression in human vascular endothelial cells. This indicates that MPA’s anti-inflammatory effect, but not its direct effect, may decrease cell adhesion molecule concentrations.

Study Limitations
We investigated changes in the plasma concentrations of cell adhesion molecules in the present study. Although the clinical relevance of cell adhesion molecules has been supported by several studies, biological function of cell adhesion molecules in sera remains unclear.

Plasma concentrations of progesterone did not change significantly in each group, because serum concentrations of physiological progesterone may not be affected by low doses of MPA.²⁸ Plasma concentrations of 400 to 800 pg/mL of MPA are reported to show effects in the reproductive system in women as well as in monkeys.²⁹ Because plasma concentrations of MPA were not measured in the present study, we could not determined a cutoff level where MPA begins to offset the proinflammatory effect of estrogen.

	Conclusions

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Conclusions References

 
The present study demonstrates that although estrogen increased CRP and SAA concentrations, MPA attenuates the proinflammatory effect of estrogen. Anti-inflammatory effects of MPA may inhibit plaque rupture in women with CHD and also preserve estrogen’s favorable effect on cell adhesion molecules. However, addition of MPA 2.5 mg, as in the HERS trial, did not prevent estrogen-induced increases in CRP and SAA in postmenopausal women, indicating that the standard dose of MPA used for continuous combined therapy may not have an anti-inflammatory effect. Addition of increased doses of MPA may be needed to act as an anti-inflammatory agent, but caution should be taken because MPA also has atherogenic effects by impairing endothelial function³⁰ and reducing HDL cholesterol.¹⁵ Additional studies are needed to investigate whether long-term use of androgenic progestins combined with estrogen can prevent early increases in coronary events in women with established coronary disease, as demonstrated in the HERS trial.

Received November 29, 2001; revision received January 16, 2002; accepted January 18, 2002.

	References

Top Abstract Introduction Methods Results Discussion Conclusions References

 
1. Ridker PM, Buring JE, Shih J, et al. Prospective study of C-reactive protein and the risk of future cardiovascular events among apparently healthy women. Circulation. 1998; 98: 731–733.

2. Maseri A. Inflammation, atherosclerosis, and ischemic events: exploring the hidden side of the moon. N Engl J Med. 1997; 336: 1014–1016.

3. Weiner CP, Lizasoain I, Baylis SA, et al. Induction of calcium-dependent nitric oxide synthases by sex hormones. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1994; 91: 5212–5216.

4. Ettinger B, Friedman GD, Bush T, et al. Reduced mortality associated with long-term postmenopausal estrogen study. Obstet Gynecol. 1996; 87: 6–12.

5. Hulley S, Grady D, Bush T, et al. Randomized trial of estrogen plus progestin for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women: Heart and Estrogen/progestin Replacement Study (HERS) Research Group. JAMA. 1998; 280: 605–613.

6. Cushman M, Legault C, Barrett-Connor E, et al. Effect of postmenopausal hormones on inflammation-sensitive proteins: the Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestin Interventions (PEPI) Study. Circulation. 1999; 100: 717–722.

7. Ridker PM, Hennekens CH, Rifai N, et al. Hormone replacement therapy and increased plasma concentration of C-reactive protein. Circulation. 1999; 100: 713–716.

8. Van Baal WM, Emeis JJ, Kenemans P, et al. Short-term hormone replacement therapy: reduced plasma levels of soluble adhesion molecules. Eur J Clin Invest. 1999; 29: 913–921.

9. Pasceri V, Willerson JT, Yeh ET. Direct proinflammatory effect of C-reactive protein on human endothelial cells. Circulation. 2000; 102: 2165–2168.

10. Whitehead MI, Townsend PT, Pryse-Davies J, et al. Actions of progestins on the morphology and biochemistry of the endometrium of postmenopausal women receiving low-dose estrogen therapy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1982; 142: 791–795.

11. Parkar M, Tabona P, Newman H, et al. IL-6 expression by oral fibroblasts is regulated by androgen. Cytokine. 1998; 10: 613–619.

12. Allain CC, Poon LS, Chan CS, et al. Enzymatic determination of total serum cholesterol. Clin Chem. 1974; 20: 470–475.

13. Ikeda T, Shibuya Y, Senba U, et al. Automated immunoturbidimetric analysis of six plasma apolipoproteins: correlation with radical immunodiffusion assays. J Clin Lab Anal. 1991; 5: 90–95.

14. Havel RJ, Eder HA, Bragdon JH. The distribution and chemical composition of ultracentrifugally separated lipoproteins in human plasma. J Clin Invest. 1955; 34: 1346–1353.

15. The Writing Group for the PEPI Trial. Effects of estrogen or estrogen/progestin regimens on heart disease risk factors in postmenopausal women: the Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestin Interventions (PEPI) Trial. JAMA. 1995; 273: 199–208.

16. Kenagy R, Weinstein I, Heimberg M. The effects of 17 ß-estradiol and progesterone on the metabolism of free fatty acid by perfused livers from normal female and ovariectomized rats. Endocrinology. 1981; 108: 1613–1621.

17. Wakatsuki A, Ikenoue N, Okatani Y, et al. Estrogen-induced small low density lipoprotein particles may be atherogenic in postmenopausal women. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2001; 37: 425–430.

18. Sattar N, Perera M, Small M, et al. Hormone replacement therapy and sensitive C-reactive protein concentrations in women with type-2 diabetes. Lancet. 1999; 354: 487–488.

19. Das I. Raised C-reactive protein levels in serum from smokers. Clin Chim Acta. 1985; 153: 9–13.

20. Visser M, Bouter LM, McQuillan GM, et al. Elevated C-reactive protein levels in overweight and obese adults. JAMA. 1999; 282: 2131–2135.

21. Wolbink GJ, Brouwer MC, Buysmann S, et al. CRP-mediated activation of complement in vivo: assessment by measuring circulating complement-C-reactive protein complexes. J Immunol. 1996; 157: 473–479.

22. Torzewski J, Torzewski M, Bowyer DE, et al. C-reactive protein frequently colocalizes with the terminal complement complex in the intima of early atherosclerotic lesions of human coronary arteries. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1998; 18: 1386–1392.

23. Galve-de RochemonteixB, Wiktorowicz K, Kushner I, et al. C-reactive protein increases production of IL-1, IL-1ß, and TNF-, and expression of mRNA by human alveolar macrophages. J Leukoc Biol. 1993; 53: 439–445.

24. Nakagomi A, Freedman SB, Geczy CL. Interferon- and lipopolysaccharide potentiate monocyte tissue factor induction by C-reactive protein: relationship with age, sex, and hormone replacement treatment. Circulation. 2000; 101: 1785–1791.

25. Newman W, Beall LD, Carson CW, et al. Soluble E-selectin is found in supernatants of activated endothelial cells and is elevated in the serum of patients with septic shock. J Immunol. 1993; 150: 644–654.

26. Hwang SJ, Ballantyne CM, Sharrett AR, et al. Circulating adhesion molecules VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and E-selectin in carotid atherosclerosis and incident coronary heart disease cases: the Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (ARIC) study. Circulation. 1997; 96: 4219–4225.

27. Otsuki M, Saito H, Xu X, et al. Progesterone, but not medroxyprogesterone, inhibits vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression in human vascular endothelial cells. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2001; 21: 243–248.

28. Miyagawa K, Rosch J, Stanczyk F, et al. Medroxyprogesterone interferes with ovarian steroid protection against coronary vasospasm. Nat Med. 1997; 3: 324–327.

29. Slayden OD, Hirst JJ, Brenner RM. Estrogen action in the reproductive tract of rhesus monkeys during antiprogestin treatment. Endocrinology. 1993; 132: 1845–1856.

30. Wakatsuki A, Okatani Y, Ikenoue N, et al. Effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate on endothelium-dependent vasodilation in postmenopausal women receiving estrogen. Circulation. 2001; 104: 1773–1778.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. R. Meendering, B. N. Torgrimson, N. P. Miller, P. F. Kaplan, and C. T. Minson Estrogen, medroxyprogesterone acetate, endothelial function, and biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in young women Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, April 1, 2008; 294(4): H1630 - H1637. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. E. Corrigan, J. S. Drouillard, M. F. Spire, D. A. Mosier, J. E. Minton, J. J. Higgins, E. R. Loe, B. E. Depenbusch, and J. T. Fox Effects of melengestrol acetate on the inflammatory response in heifers challenged with Mannheimia haemolytica J Anim Sci, July 1, 2007; 85(7): 1770 - 1779. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. L. Turgeon, M. C. Carr, P. M. Maki, M. E. Mendelsohn, and P. M. Wise Complex Actions of Sex Steroids in Adipose Tissue, the Cardiovascular System, and Brain: Insights from Basic Science and Clinical Studies Endocr. Rev., October 1, 2006; 27(6): 575 - 605. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. K. Koh and B.-K. Yoon Controversies regarding hormone therapy: Insights from inflammation and hemostasis Cardiovasc Res, April 1, 2006; 70(1): 22 - 30. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. K. Koh, S. H. Han, M.-S. Shin, J. Y. Ahn, Y. Lee, and E. K. Shin Significant differential effects of lower doses of hormone therapy or tibolone on markers of cardiovascular disease in post-menopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, crossover study Eur. Heart J., July 2, 2005; 26(14): 1362 - 1368. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. G. Mishra, R. K. Hermsmeyer, K. Miyagawa, P. Sarrel, B. Uchida, F. Z. Stanczyk, K. A. Burry, D. R. Illingworth, and F. J. Nordt Medroxyprogesterone Acetate and Dihydrotestosterone Induce Coronary Hyperreactivity in Intact Male Rhesus Monkeys J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2005; 90(6): 3706 - 3714. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. C. Register, J. A. Cann, J. R. Kaplan, J. K. Williams, M. R. Adams, T. M. Morgan, M. S. Anthony, R. M. Blair, J. D. Wagner, and T. B. Clarkson Effects of Soy Isoflavones and Conjugated Equine Estrogens on Inflammatory Markers in Atherosclerotic, Ovariectomized Monkeys J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., March 1, 2005; 90(3): 1734 - 1740. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Ropponen, K. Aittomaki, M. J. Tikkanen, and O. Ylikorkala Levels of Serum C-Reactive Protein during Oral and Transdermal Estradiol in Postmenopausal Women with and without a History of Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 2005; 90(1): 142 - 146. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. F. Kernohan, A. Spiers, N. Sattar, C. Hillier, S. J Cleland, M. Small, M.-A. Lumsden, J. M. Connell, and J. R Petrie Effects of low-dose continuous combined HRT on vascular function in women with type 2 diabetes Diabetes and Vascular Disease Research, October 1, 2004; 1(2): 82 - 88. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. K. Koh and I. Sakuma Should Progestins Be Blamed for the Failure of Hormone Replacement Therapy to Reduce Cardiovascular Events in Randomized Controlled Trials? Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, July 1, 2004; 24(7): 1171 - 1179. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. K. Hermsmeyer, R. G. Mishra, D. Pavcnik, B. Uchida, M. K. Axthelm, F. Z. Stanczyk, K. A. Burry, D. R. Illingworth, J. C. Kaski, and F. J. Nordt Prevention of Coronary Hyperreactivity in Preatherogenic Menopausal Rhesus Monkeys by Transdermal Progesterone Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, May 1, 2004; 24(5): 955 - 961. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				A. Wakatsuki, N. Ikenoue, K. Shinohara, K. Watanabe, and T. Fukaya Effect of Lower Dosage of Oral Conjugated Equine Estrogen on Inflammatory Markers and Endothelial Function in Healthy Postmenopausal Women Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, March 1, 2004; 24(3): 571 - 576. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				B. L. Stauffer, G. L. Hoetzer, D. T. Smith, and C. A. DeSouza Plasma C-reactive protein is not elevated in physically active postmenopausal women taking hormone replacement therapy J Appl Physiol, January 1, 2004; 96(1): 143 - 148. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. K. Koh, J. Y. Ahn, D. K. Jin, B.-K. Yoon, H. S. Kim, D. S. Kim, W. C. Kang, S. H. Han, I. S. Choi, and E. K. Shin Significant Differential Effects of Hormone Therapy or Tibolone on Markers of Cardiovascular Disease in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, October 1, 2003; 23(10): 1889 - 1894. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. P. Miller, Y.-F. Chen, D. Xing, W. Feng, and S. Oparil Hormone Replacement Therapy and Inflammation: Interactions in Cardiovascular Disease Hypertension, October 1, 2003; 42(4): 657 - 663. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Davison and S. R. Davis New Markers for Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Women: Impact of Endogenous Estrogen Status and Exogenous Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2003; 88(6): 2470 - 2478. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. Vongpatanasin, M. Tuncel, Z. Wang, D. Arbique, B. Mehrad, and I. Jialal Differential effects of oral versus transdermal estrogen replacement therapy on C-reactive protein in postmenopausal women J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., April 16, 2003; 41(8): 1358 - 1363. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Wakatsuki, Y. Okatani, T. Fukaya, K. K. Koh, W. H. Schenke, R. O. Cannon III, M. A. Waclawiw, and G. Csako Statin Attenuates Increase in C-Reactive Protein During Estrogen Replacement Therapy in Postmenopausal Women * Response Circulation, December 10, 2002; 106 (24): e198 - e199. [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Rachon, A. Wakatsuki, Y. Okatani, N. Ikenoue, and T. Fukaya The Antiinflammatory Properties of Medroxyprogesterone Acetate * Response Circulation, November 26, 2002; 106 (22): e185 - e185. [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Garnero, C. Jamin, C.-L. Benhamou, C. Pelissier, and C. Roux Effects of tibolone and combined 17{beta}-estradiol and norethisterone acetate on serum C-reactive protein in healthy post-menopausal women: a randomized trial Hum. Reprod., October 1, 2002; 17(10): 2748 - 2753. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 105/12/1436    most recent hc1202.105945v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wakatsuki, A. Articles by Fukaya, T. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Wakatsuki, A. Articles by Fukaya, T. Related Collections Pathophysiology Acute coronary syndromes