Effects of orchiectomy and polyestradiol phosphate therapy on serum lipoprotein lipids and glucose tolerance in prostatic cancer patients.

In 17 prostatic cancer patients, changes in the plasma lipoprotein pattern, including high density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions, and in glucose tolerance were compared after 6 months on parenteral polyestradiol phosphate (PEP; Estradurin, 80 or 160 mg/month) with the respective changes in orchiectomized patients. In the estrogen group there was no change in the total serum cholesterol level, whereas in the orchiectomy group an increase of 10% was observed. Estrogen therapy resulted in a significant increase of serum HDL (11%) and HDL2 cholesterol (26%) levels; in the orchiectomy group these fractions remained unchanged. Estrogen therapy induced a significant decrease in total serum triglycerides (24%) and in low density lipoprotein triglycerides (27%); in the orchiectomy group reverse changes were observed. PEP treatment caused changes in the serum lipoprotein pattern, which apparently decreases the risk of atherosclerosis.