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Horm Metab Res 2002; 34(10): 583-588
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-35420
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Estrogen Replacement Therapy on Abdominal Fat Compartments as Related to Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Early Postmenopausal Women

I.  Mattiasson 1 , M.  Rendell 1 , C.  Törnquist 2 , S.  Jeppsson 3 , U.  L.  Hulthén 4
  • 1Department of Vascular Diseases Malmö-Lund, Lund University, University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
  • 2Department of Radiology, Lund University, University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
  • 3Department of Gynecology, Lund University, University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
  • 4Department of Endocrinology, Lund University, University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 29 January 2002

Accepted after revision: 3 July 2002

Publication Date:
19 November 2002 (online)

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Abstract

The effects of estrogen replacement therapy on lipid and glucose metabolism as related to abdominal fat distribution were investigated in fifty-one healthy postmenopausal women aged 52-53 years. They were randomized to treatment with either estradiol 2 mg or placebo daily for three months in a double-blind design. Forty-six women continued with estradiol for another nine months in an open design with the addition of medroxyprogesterone for ten days every three months. Intra-abdominal and subcutaneous abdominal fat, and intrapelvic and subcutaneous pelvic fat was estimated by computed tomography before and after one year of estrogen treatment. Euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, oral glucose tolerance test and analyses of blood lipids were performed after 3 and 12 months of treatment. Estrogen replacement therapy decreased body fat mass as well as intra-abdominal and intrapelvic fat, but not the subcutaneous fat compartments. LDL cholesterol decreased and HDL cholesterol increased, whereas triglycerides were not changed by one year of estrogen treatment. Insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance were not affected by estrogen treatment. In postmenopausal women estrogen treatment for one year decreased intra-abdominal and intrapelvic fat compartments, but this was not related to changes in plasma lipid levels. Insulin sensitivity and plasma triglycerides were not affected by estrogen treatment.

Key words

Intraabdominal Fat - Intrapelvic Fat - Subcutaneous Fat - Insulin Sensitivity - Estradiol - Medroxyprogesteron - Leptin

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Prof. I. Mattiasson

Department of Vascular Diseases, University Hospital

Entrance 41 · 20502 Malmö · Sweden

Fax: + 46-40-338097 ·

Email: ingrid.mattiasson@skane.se

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