Estimation of hormone replacement therapy influence on serum galanin level in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of exogenous hormones (estradiol and progestogen) used in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the serum galanin level in postmenopausal women with normal body weight. Methods We studied 20 postmenopausal patients (mean age 52.3 ± 5.2 years) before and after 1 year of HRT. The mean duration of amenorrhea in these patients was 5.3 ± 4.1 years. In all cases, body mass index was in the normal range (between 20 and 25 kg/m²). Serum galanin and estradiol concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay before and after 1 year of treatment. Results were statistically analyzed with the use of specialist computer software. Results There was no statistically significant difference in serum galanin concentration before (8.24 ± 3.63 pg/ml) and after (5.63 ± 2.75 pg/ml) 1 year of HRT. Following HRT the serum estradiol level (0.09 ± 0.015 ng/ml) was significantly higher than before starting therapy (0.021 ± 0.018 ng/ml) (p < 0.001). Also, after HRT the mean serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level (32.9 ± 28.0 IU/l) was significantly lower than before starting therapy (91.7 ± 38.5 IU/l) (p < 0.01). Conclusions The study results suggest that HRT in postmenopausal women does not restore galanin levels to values typical of those in women of reproductive age.

• GALANIN
• ESTROGENS
• MENOPAUSE
• MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS
• HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY