Raloxifene modifies the insulin sensitivity and lipid profile of postmenopausal insulin resistant women

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of raloxifene on the insulin sensitivity and lipid profile in insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant postmenopausal women.

Study design: This placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized study involved 64 postmenopausal women aged between 45 and 55 years. All subjects were screened with the insulin resistance homeostasis model assessment (IR-HOMA) and those patients in the lowest quartile (n = 16) were assigned as insulin sensitive and those in the highest quartile as insulin resistant (n = 16). Patients in both groups received either raloxifene hydrochloride (60 mg/day) or a placebo for a period of 12 weeks. Insulin sensitivity, the serum lipid profile and anthropometric measurements were established before and after therapy.

Results: Women with the highest IR-HOMA scores were associated with a significantly higher weight, body mass index, waist and waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.05). Raloxifene significantly reduced the IR-HOMA scores from 5.76 ± 2.91 to 1.93 ± 0.96 (p = 0.02) and modified the lipid profile in insulin-resistant patients when compared with the placebo group and those patients receiving raloxifene in the insulin-sensitive group.

Conclusion: Raloxifene reduced insulin resistance and modified the lipid profile in insulin-resistant postmenopausal women.

• Insulin resistant
• lipid profile
• postmenopausal women

Acknowledgements

We want to thank the participation of the hospital laboratory chemicals.