Low-dose estradiol and endothelial and inflammatory biomarkers in menopausal overweight/obese women

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effects of low-dose transdermal estrogen on endothelial and inflammatory biomarkers in menopausal overweight/obese women.Methods: We recruited 44 menopausal women (47-55 years; body mass index 27.5-34.9kg/m(2)) and divided them into estradiol (1mg/day; n=22) or placebo groups (n=22). They were double-blinded, followed and treated for 3 months. At baseline and post-intervention, inflammatory biomarkers (hs-CRP, IL-1, IL-6, MCP-1 and TNF-) and of vascular injury (activated circulating endothelial cells, CEC-a) and repair (endothelial progenitor cells, EPC) were quantified. Resting CECs (CEC-r) were also assessed. Microvascular reactivity and vasomotion were analyzed by laser-Doppler flowmetry.Results: Volunteers (51.82.3 years; mean body mass index 31.52.5kg/m(2)) had been menopausal for 3 (range 2-5) years. After treatment, no changes were observed in the placebo group, while levels of CEC-r and EPC increased in the estradiol group. In this group, no changes in inflammatory biomarkers were observed but it required a lower cumulative dose of acetylcholine to achieve peak velocity during endothelial-dependent vasodilatation and there was increased endothelial-independent vasodilatation.Conclusions: The short-term use of low-dose transdermal estradiol therapy in overweight/obese menopausal women increased markers of vascular repair and improved microvascular reactivity without changing the inflammatory biomarkers.Clinical trial registration: NCT01295892 at www.clinicaltrials.gov.