Changes in the low-density lipoprotein profile during 17 beta-estradiol-dydrogesterone therapy in postmenopausal women.

Changes in the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subfractions, determined with gradient gel electrophoresis (GGE), were prospectively studied during hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in 23 healthy nonhysterectomized postmenopausal women. LDL subfractions were analyzed by densitometric scanning of the gels. We observed significant changes in the LDL subfraction profile toward a smaller particle size (P < .001). These changes could almost completely be attributed to the hormonal treatment regimen (P < .01), and may indicate an effect partially opposite to the other reported changes in the lipid profile.