BACKGROUND Estrogen replacement therapy has been associated with a reduction in cardiovascular events in postmenopausal women. One of the mechanisms responsible may be a beneficial effect of estrogen on coronary vascular function. We therefore studied the short-term effects of estrogen on coronary artery dimensions and microvascular resistance in postmenopausal women. METHODS AND RESULTS Twen...

INTRODUCTION Since there is evidence of the action of vitamin D as a modulator of insulin release and atherosclerosis, it may well be that the vitamin D receptor polymorphisms are associated with diabetes and its chronic complications. AIMS To examine the associations between vitamin D receptor polymorphisms (FokI and TaqI) and Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and its associated chronic complications i...

CONTEXT In postmenopausal women, endogenous bioavailable testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) have been positively associated, and SHBG has been negatively associated, with incident type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Previous studies have not explored possible factors explaining these relationships. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to examine the association of endogenous sex hormones with incident T2DM in po...

OBJECTIVE To establish whether treatment for three years with pro-juven progesterone cream affects progression of atherosclerotic plaques or bone density in postmenopausal women. Design Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Sample One hundred and thirty-one healthy postmenopausal women aged between 50 and 75 years with at least one asymptomatic arterial plaque visible on ultrasound ...

BACKGROUND Elevated plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in population studies and in patients with unstable coronary syndromes are predictive of future adverse events, including cardiac death and myocardial infarction, implicating inflammation in pathogenesis. Although CRP is considered a marker of inflammation, it induces monocyte tissue factor (TF) and may play a prothrombotic role in a...

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of calcified atherosclerotic lesions in the region of carotid bifurcation in a group of postmenopausal women using panoramic radiographs and to assess other atherogenic risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia associated with carotid atheroma. Materials and methods: Digital panoramic radiogr...

conclusions spiritual intervention effectively could reduce the severity of postmenopausal depression. considering the high prevalence of depression in postmenopausal women and the effectiveness, simplicity, and affordability of spiritual intervention, using such interventions in postmenopausal women is recommended. patients and methods a randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on po...

RATIONALE Sex steroids may play a role in plaque composition and in stroke incidence. OBJECTIVES To study the associations of endogenous estradiol and testosterone with carotid plaque composition in elderly men and postmenopausal women with carotid atherosclerosis, as well as with risk of stroke in this population. METHODS AND RESULTS Data of 1023 postmenopausal women and 1124 men (≥45 year...

OBJECTIVE Oestradiol (E2) and its metabolites 2-hydroxyoestrone (2-OHE1) and 16alpha-hydroxyoestrone (16alpha-OHE1) are thought to curtail the greater oxidative stress found in the development and progression of disease conditions including atherosclerosis. We related oestrogen levels to F(2a)-isoprostane levels, a biomarker of oxidative stress. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS Data were obtained from...

BACKGROUND Observational studies have reported less frequent carotid atherosclerosis in healthy women taking postmenopausal hormone therapy. Estrogen with progestin did not reduce peripheral arterial events among women with preexisting coronary heart disease. This analysis evaluates clinical peripheral arterial disease among generally healthy women in the Women's Health Initiative randomized tr...