Lipid, glucose and homocysteine metabolism in women treated with a GnRH agonist with or without raloxifene

ISSN： 1460-2350

Source： Human Reproduction, Vol.19, Iss.2, 2004-02, pp. : 415-421

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although GnRH analogues are widely used to treat a variety of sex hormone‐related diseases, little is known about their effect on metabolism. Therefore, we have evaluated the effect of a GnRH analogue, administered with or without raloxifene, on serum levels of lipoproteins, glucose, insulin and homocysteine (Hcy). METHODS: One hundred premenopausal women with symptomatic uterine leiomyomas were initially enrolled and randomized to receive 3.75 mg/28 days leuprolide acetate depot associated with 60 mg/day raloxifene hydrochloride (group A) or 1 placebo tablet/day (group B) for six cycles of 28 days. At entry and at cycle 6, subjects underwent anthropometric measurements, including body mass index and waist‐to‐hip ratio measurements, and blood chemistry assays for serum total cholesterol (TC), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), triglycerides (TG), glucose, insulin, Hcy, vitamin B12 and folate concentrations. Insulin resistance was evaluated with the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score. RESULTS: Baseline parameters were similar in the two groups. At cycle 6, TC, HDL‐C, LDL‐C and TG levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05)="" in="" group="" b.="" in="" group="" a,="" ldl‐c="" levels="" were="" unchanged,="" and="" tc,="" hdl‐c="" and="" tg="" levels="" were="" increased="">P < 0.05).="" serum="" tc="" and="" ldl‐c="" levels="" differed="">P < 0.05)="" between="" the="" groups.="" glucose="" levels="" were="" unchanged="" between="" and="" within="" groups,="" whereas="" insulin="" levels="" and="" homa="" scores="" increased="">P < 0.05)="" versus="" baseline="" in="" group="" b.="" post‐treatment="" hcy="" levels="" were="" higher="">P < 0.05)="" versus="" baseline="" in="" group="" b;="" they="" were="" unchanged="" in="" group="" a.="" serum="" vitamin="">12 and folate concentrations were unchanged in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: GnRH analogues alter serum lipoprotein and Hcy levels and increase insulin resistance. These acute metabolic changes may be prevented or reduced by raloxifene.