Effects of drospirenone on cardiovascular markers in human aortic endothelial cells.

OBJECTIVES

The effect of the new progestogen drospirenone on biochemical markers in terms of cardiovascular effects was investigated in the presence and absence of aldosterone and compared to progesterone and the progestogens medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and promegestone (R5020), and the antimineralocorticoid spironolactone.

METHODS

Human female aortic endothelial cells were used for the experiments. The progestogens were tested alone at 0.1 and 10 micromol/l and in combination with aldosterone at a concentration of 10 micromol/l. The adhesion molecule E-selectin, the chemokine monocyte attracting protein-1 (MCP-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were chosen as markers.

RESULTS

In combination with aldosterone, spironolactone, drospirenone, progesterone and R5020 were able to inhibit the aldosterone-induced increase in MCP-1 concentration, the effect being greatest for spironolactone. In contrast, MPA did not show any significant effect. For E-selectin, similar results were found; however, R5020 and MPA were not able to act antagonistically. Spironolactone, drospirenone and progesterone were able to significantly reduce the aldosterone-induced stimulation of PAI-1. For MPA and R5020, no significant effect was found.

CONCLUSIONS

The new progestogen drospirenone seems to have favorable effects on the cardiovascular system due to its antimineralocorticoid property. Clinical studies must prove the results of this in vitro experiment.