Human Reproduction, Vol. 19, No. 2, 415-421,
February 2004
© 2004 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
Lipid, glucose and homocysteine metabolism in women treated with a GnRH agonist with or without raloxifene
1 Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Catanzaro ‘Magna Graecia’, Catanzaro, 2 Department of Molecular & Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Naples, 3 Department of Gynaecology Obstetrics and Human Reproduction, University of Naples ‘Federico II’, Naples and 4 Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
5 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Via Nicolardi 188, Napoli 80131, Italy. e-mail: stefanopalomba{at}tin.it
BACKGROUND: Although GnRH analogues are widely used to treat a variety of sex hormone-related diseases, little is known about their effect on metabolism. Therefore, we have evaluated the effect of a GnRH analogue, administered with or without raloxifene, on serum levels of lipoproteins, glucose, insulin and homocysteine (Hcy). METHODS: One hundred premenopausal women with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas were initially enrolled and randomized to receive 3.75 mg/28 days leuprolide acetate depot associated with 60 mg/day raloxifene hydrochloride (group A) or 1 placebo tablet/day (group B) for six cycles of 28 days. At entry and at cycle 6, subjects underwent anthropometric measurements, including body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio measurements, and blood chemistry assays for serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), glucose, insulin, Hcy, vitamin B12 and folate concentrations. Insulin resistance was evaluated with the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score. RESULTS: Baseline parameters were similar in the two groups. At cycle 6, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C and TG levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in group B. In group A, LDL-C levels were unchanged, and TC, HDL-C and TG levels were increased (P < 0.05). Serum TC and LDL-C levels differed (P < 0.05) between the groups. Glucose levels were unchanged between and within groups, whereas insulin levels and HOMA scores increased (P < 0.05) versus baseline in group B. Post-treatment Hcy levels were higher (P < 0.05) versus baseline in group B; they were unchanged in group A. Serum vitamin B12 and folate concentrations were unchanged in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: GnRH analogues alter serum lipoprotein and Hcy levels and increase insulin resistance. These acute metabolic changes may be prevented or reduced by raloxifene.
Key words: GnRH agonist/leiomyomas/metabolism/raloxifene/selective estrogen receptor modulators
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  D. Spano, I. Branchi, A. Rosica, M. T. Pirro, A. Riccio, P. Mithbaokar, A. Affuso, C. Arra, P. Campolongo, D. Terracciano, et al. Rhes Is Involved in Striatal Function Mol. Cell. Biol., July 1, 2004; 24(13): 5788 - 5796. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. Palomba, F. Orio Jr, T. Russo, A. Falbo, T. Cascella, P. Doldo, C. Nappi, G. Lombardi, P. Mastrantonio, and F. Zullo Long-term effectiveness and safety of GnRH agonist plus raloxifene administration in women with uterine leiomyomas Hum. Reprod., June 1, 2004; 19(6): 1308 - 1314. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|