Oral 17β-estradiol continuously combined with dydrogesterone lowers serum lipoprotein(a) concentrations in healthy postmenopausal women

Abstract

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. Serum Lp(a) concentrations increase after menopause, and postmenopausal estrogen replacement appears to decrease Lp(a) levels. In a randomized, double blind study, we examined the effects of 6-month treatment with daily 17β-estradiol (E2; 2 mg orally) continuously combined with one of four dosages [2.5 mg (n = 41), 5 mg (n = 38), 10 mg (n = 38), and 15 mg (n = 20)] of dydrogesterone on fasting serum Lp(a) concentrations in 137 healthy postmenopausal women. At baseline, no significant differences were noted among the four treatment groups. During the study period of 6 months the median serum Lp(a) concentration decreased significantly from 128 mg/L (range, 5-1660) to 110 mg/L (range, 1-1530) in the total population, corresponding to a reduction of 13% (P < 0.001). The percent changes in serum Lp(a) correlated positively with the percent changes in serum E2 at 3 as well as 6 months of therapy (r = 0.38; P < 0.001 and r = 0.35; P < 0.001, respectively). A dose response of dydrogesterone on serum Lp(a) was not found. In addition, serum lipids and (apo)lipoprotein improved significantly in all four treatment groups. In conclusion, oral E2 continuously combined with dydrogesterone has beneficial effects on the lipid and lipoprotein profile and is effective in lowering Lp(a) concentration in postmenopausal women.