Oestrogens and postprandial lipid metabolism.

Introduction Oestrogens protect against coronary artery disease (CAD) [l-31. An estimated 2540% of this protective effect can be attributed to changes in fasting plasma lipids [4]. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations are reduced [5,6] as the result of enhanced clearance of atherogenic LDL particles by upregulated LDL receptors [7,8]. The production of highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) particles, the major lipid factor in women that is associated with protection against CAD [4], is increased [9]. Furthermore the oxidizability of LDL particles is reduced [lo]. Beneficial non-lipid effects are a direct relaxing effect on the vessel wall [ 1 1 1 and the beneficial promotion of angiogenesis [ 121 in the repair of damage to the endothelium. We hypothesized that oestrogens can also improve postprandial lipid metabolism. This could be important since humans are in the postprandial state during most of their lives.