Skip Navigation



Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on July 29, 2004
Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/humrep/deh396
© 2004 by European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
This Article
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF ) Freely available
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
19/10/2411    most recent
deh396v2
deh396v1
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Bain, C.A.L.
Right arrow Articles by Lumsden, M.A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Bain, C.A.L.
Right arrow Articles by Lumsden, M.A.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Received February 24, 2004
Accepted June 7, 2004

Article

The effect of HRT on cerebral haemodynamics and cerebral vasomotor reactivity in post-menopausal women

C.A.L. Bain 1*, M.R. Walters 2, K.R. Lees 2, M.A. Lumsden 1

1 Division of Developmental Medicine, University of Glasgow, Western Infirmary, Glasgow G11 6NT, UK
2 Division of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Western Infirmary, Glasgow G11 6NT, UK


  Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cerebral vasomotor reactivity (CVR) is an index of cerebrovascular dilatory capacity which can readily be assessed using trans-cranial Doppler ultrasound. Impaired CVR is associated with elevated risk of stroke. We performed a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial to investigate the effect of two HRT preparations upon CVR. METHODS: We examined middle cerebral artery mean flow velocity (MFV), internal carotid artery pulsatility index (PI) and CVR to an i.v. acetazolamide bolus using ultrasound in three groups of post-menopausal women randomized to oral estradiol 1 mg+norethisterone 0.5 mg (group N), estradiol 1 mg+dydrogesterone 5 mg (group D) or placebo (group P). The MFV, PI and CVR were measured before and after 3 months treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-eight post-menopausal women were recruited (N=12, D=14, P=12); mean (SE) age was 56.7 (4) years. Neither HRT preparation affected CVR [% (SE) change from baseline N +4.2 (11); D +3.8 (5.5); P +4.0 (3.8); all comparisons P = NS]. PI was significantly reduced in recipients of dydrogesterone [% (SE) change from baseline D -5.4% (4.6); N +12.3 (6.9); P +11.6 (6.9). P=0.025]. Middle cerebral artery velocity was significantly increased following dydrogesterone treatment compared with placebo [% (SE) change from baseline D +6.8 (3.4) N +3.9 (4.2) P -4.6% (3.4) P=0.03 for D versus P]. CONCLUSION: HRT did not alter CVR. The reduced PI and increased MFV suggest HRT-induced intracranial vasodilatation, which is more apparent in dydrogesterone recipients. Differences may exist between progestogens with regard to changes in intracranial haemodynamics.

Keywords: cerebral blood flow; menopause; estrogen; progestogen.
Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
O. Nevo, J. F. Soustiel, and I. Thaler
Cerebral blood flow is increased during controlled ovarian stimulation
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, December 1, 2007; 293(6): H3265 - H3269.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Endocr. Rev.Home page
M. Schumacher, R. Guennoun, A. Ghoumari, C. Massaad, F. Robert, M. El-Etr, Y. Akwa, K. Rajkowski, and E.-E. Baulieu
Novel Perspectives for Progesterone in Hormone Replacement Therapy, with Special Reference to the Nervous System
Endocr. Rev., June 1, 2007; 28(4): 387 - 439.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
D. N. Krause, S. P. Duckles, and D. A. Pelligrino
Influence of sex steroid hormones on cerebrovascular function
J Appl Physiol, October 1, 2006; 101(4): 1252 - 1261.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.