Elevated levels of sE-selectin in post-menopausal females are decreased byhormone replacement therapy to levels observed in pre-menopausal females

Observational epidemological studies have shown that mortality from coronar y heart disease is reduced in post-menopausal women by hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The aim of this study was to measure sE-selectin levels in p ost-menopausal females before and after HRT and to compare these with pre-m enopausal females and aged matched males. Post-menopausal females (n = 70) were given HRT or no treatment to act as a control group. sE-selectin level s were significantly lower in the pre-menopausal (n = 36) when compared wit h the post-menopausal females (n = 70) (p = 0.027), whereas no difference b etween two age matched male groups was found (n = 40). Oral and transdermal HRT significantly decreased sE-selectin levels (p <0.0001 and p = 0.0005 r espectively) with no change in the control group. The reduction in the leve ls of this marker of endothelial activation after HRT, may reflect a decrea se in leucocyte/endothelial interaction which may reduce atherosclerotic ri sk in post-menopausal females.