The effects of 17β-estradiol plus drospirenone on anthropometric and biochemical measures of adiposity in menopausal women.

PURPOSE: To assess whether there are changes on anthropometric and biochemical measures of adiposity in pre- and postmenopausal women and in the latter before and after 6 months treatment with 17β-estradiol plus drospirenone.

METHODS: Twenty postmenopausal and 20 premenopausal women were enrolled in a prospective comparative study. Postmenopausal women received 1 mg 17β-estradiol plus 2 mg drospirenone daily for 6 months. Measurements of body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio and plasmatic levels of insulin, glucose, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride, leptin, adiponectin, orexin-A, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and ghrelin were performed in premenopausal (group 1) and postmenopausal women and in the latter before (group 2a) and after (group 2b) 6 months treatment with 17β-estradiol plus drospirenone.

RESULTS: No significant changes in BMIs, insulin and glucose were observed between group 1 and 2a; and group 2a and 2b. GLP-1 levels were significantly increased in group 1 compared to group 2a (p = 0.035). Leptin levels were significantly increased (p = 0.001) and GLP-1 levels were significantly decreased (p = 0.021) in group 2b compared to group 2a. HDL was significantly decreased while LDL and triglyceride levels were significantly increased in group 2a compared to group 1. (p = 0.030, p = 0.001, p = 0.020; respectively) LDL was significantly decreased (p = 0.010) in group 2b compared to group 2a. GLP-1 had a positive correlation with orexin-A (p < 0.001, r = 0.520) and negative correlation with leptin (p = 0.008, r = -0.345).

CONCLUSION: Leptin was significantly higher and GLP-1 was significantly lower in women receiving 17β-estradiol plus drospirenone treatment. GLP-1 levels were significantly lower after the menopause compared to premenopausal levels. Orexin-A and GLP-1 were positively correlated.