Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy on the Main Fatty Acids of Serum and Phospholipids of Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

Background: The anti-atherosclerotic effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women are partly mediated by improvement of the lipid and lipoprotein profiles. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of HRT on the main fatty acids of serum and phospholipids in postmenopausal women. Patients and Methods: Serum samples of two groups of postmenopausal women, receiving either single oestrogen or in combination with progestogens, were analysed before and after a 6- month treatment period. Results: Of the main serum fatty acids, there was a significant reduction in palmitic (p<0.05) and arachidonic acids (p<0.001), followed by an increase in oleic (p<0.05) and linoleic acids (p<0.05) in postmenopausal women receiving HRT compared to single oestrogen. The main fatty acids in phospholipids showed a similar pattern in those women. Conclusion: The above results demonstrate the beneficial effects of HRT in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease through modification of the fatty acid profiles of postmenopausal women.