A Comparative Study of Effects of Tibolone, Conjugated Equine
Estrogen Alone or Combination with Medroxyprogesterone Acetate on
Plasma Homocysteine Levels in Postmenopausal Women

M. Ali YÜCE, Petek BALKANLI KAPLAN, Fatih GÜÇER, N. Cenk SAYIN, Mahmut YÜKSEL
Edirne-Turkey

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of estrogen, estrogen combined with progesterone or tibolon on serum total homocysteine levels, an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disorders, in postmenopausal women.
STUDY DESIGN: In a randomised order, healthy, non-smoking postmenopausal women were included in the study. They received either conjugated equine estrogen 0.625 mg alone (CEE, n=16), CEE combined with medroxyprogesterone actate 5mg (CEE/MPA, n=20) or tibolon 2.5 mg (n=10). Treatments were given for three treatment cycles of 28 days (3 months). Plasma levels of homocysteine were measured at baseline and 3 months after the start of the study.
RESULTS: There was no statistically significant change in plasma homocysteine levels in the only estrogen-treated group, sequentially combined CEE plus MPA-treated group and tibolone group.
CONCLUCION: Neither CEE alone nor combination of CEE with MPA or tibolone treatment causes significant changes in plasma homocysteine levels in postmenopausal women with normal baseline homocysteine levels.
(Gynecol Obstet Reprod Med 2005; 11:189-193)

Key Words: Homocystein, Postmenopausal Women, CEE, MPA, Tibolone