Hormonal, lipoprotein, and vascular effects of the selective estrogen receptor modulator Raloxifene in hypercholesterolemic men

To determine whether a compound with estrogenic properties is of atherogeni c lipoprotein and vascular benefit to men at risk for atherosclerosis, 24 h ypercholesterolemic men took raloxifene 60 mg or placebo daily for 1 month in a double-blind study, with cross over to the alternate treatment after 1 month without therapy. Raloxifene caused no significant reduction in level s of atherogenic lipoproteins, did not improve brachial artery flow-mediate d dilation, and did not reduce levels of soluble cell adhesion molecules as sociated with atherosclerosis.