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Effects of raloxifene and hormone replacement therapy on serum Th2 and Th3 type cytokine concentrations in healthy postmenopausal women: a randomised controlled trial

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Abstract

Background

Since sex hormones are reported to have important roles in the regulation of immune function, this study was designed to investigate the effects hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and raloxifene (RAL) on serum cytokine concentrations in healthy postmenopausal women.

Methods

Fifty-three healthy postmenopausal women were randomly assigned and treated by RAL (Group I, [RAL 60 mg daily and continuously], n = 16), HRT (Group II, [2 mg estradiol valerat + 2 mg dienogest, continuously] n = 18) or placebo (Group III, n = 19). Two fasting morning blood samples were obtained from each participant before and 3 months after the treatments. Serum concentration of interleukin (IL)-4 (as a Th2 cytokine) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)1 (as a Th3 cytokine), were measured by using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Kruskal–Wallis analysis of variance, Mann–Whitney U, and Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks Tests were used as necessary.

Results

At the beginning of the study, the chronological ages, menopausal ages, years of amenorrhea, weights, body mass indexes, and blood pressures were not significantly different between groups (P < 0.05). RAL treatment caused a significant decrease on serum IL-4 concentration (P < 0.001). Although HRT caused a 14% decrease in serum IL-4 concentration, this decrease was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Serum TGF-β1 concentrations were significantly decreased by HRT when compared to basal value (P < 0.001), and to control (P < 0.05). RAL treatment has no significant effect on serum TGF-β1 concentration (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

It seems that RAL treatment might cause a decrease in serum IL-4 concentration while valerate plus dienogest treatment as HRT seems to cause a Th3 tendency in healthy postmenopausal women.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Firat University Medical School, 23 119, Elazig, Turkey

    Selahattin Kumru, Fahrettin M. Yildiz & Bilgin Gurates

  2. Department of Immunology, Firat University Medical School, 23 119, Elazig, Turkey

    Ahmet Godekmerdan

  3. Department of Physiology, Firat University Medical School, 23 119, Elazig, Turkey

    Selim Kutlu & Bayram Yilmaz

Authors
  1. Selahattin Kumru
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  2. Fahrettin M. Yildiz
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  3. Ahmet Godekmerdan
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  4. Selim Kutlu
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  5. Bayram Yilmaz
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  6. Bilgin Gurates
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Selahattin Kumru.

Additional information

The results of this study were presented at first International Congress on Reproductive Medicine (22–25 September 2004 Antalya, Turkey), and 24th Joint Meeting of The British Endocrine Societies (4–6 April 2005 Harrogate, UK).

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Kumru, S., Yildiz, F.M., Godekmerdan, A. et al. Effects of raloxifene and hormone replacement therapy on serum Th2 and Th3 type cytokine concentrations in healthy postmenopausal women: a randomised controlled trial. Arch Gynecol Obstet 277, 489–493 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-007-0521-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-007-0521-3

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