THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT DOSES OF MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE ON SERUM-LIPIDS, LIPOPROTEIN LEVELS AND ATHEROGENIC INDEX IN THE MENOPAUSAL PERIOD

The purpose of our study was to make a contribution to research in det ermining the least harmful progestogen dose for women who have not had their uterus removed. The study was an open comparative trial. The pa tients were consecutively assigned to two groups. The first group (n = 19) were given 0.625-mg conjugated equine estrogen plus 5-mg medroxyp rogesterone acetate (MPA), and the second (n = 18) 0.625-mg conjugated equine estrogen plus 2.5-mg MPA. Serum total cholesterol (T-cholester ol), triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and lo w-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels plus LDL-C/HDL-C valu es (atherogenic index) were measured before the study and again after 6 and 12 months. These values were compared with ANOVA and postANOVA t ests (Scheffe) within the groups and with unpaired t-test between the two groups. The triglyceride serum levels in the first group were decr eased in the 12th month compared to baseline levels. In addition, LDL- C/HDL-C values were significantly decreased in the 6th month, but ther e values slightly increased in the following 6 months. In the second g roup, T-cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C and atherogenic index were de creased in the 12th month when compared to baseline levels within the groups. This decrease was statistically significant (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). Hormo ne replacement therapy with continuous 0.625-mg conjugated equine estr ogen and 2.5-mg MPA had a better effect on lipid profiles than 0.625-m g conjugated equine estrogens and 5-mg MPA after 12 months of treatmen t.