Effect of statins on estrogen and androgen levels in postmenopausal women treated with estradiol

Abstract

Objective A considerable number of postmenopausal women who receive estrogen therapy are also treated for hypercholesterolemia with cholesterol-lowering statins. Statins and steroid hormones can compete for the same steroid-metabolizing enzymes. We investigated whether long-term administration of statins had an effect on serum estrogen and androgen levels in postmenopausal women receiving and not receiving oral estrogen therapy.

Methods A subgroup analysis from the Estrogen in the Prevention of Atherosclerosis Trial, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, was performed. A total of 222 women were randomized to receive either placebo or 1 mg of oral micronized 17β-estradiol daily for 2 years. In both the placebo and treatment groups, participants with low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels >160 mg/dl were treated with statins. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and every 6 months during the trial. Serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione, testosterone, estrone and 17β-estradiol were measured by radioimmunoassay.

Results Among 86 placebo- and 90 estradiol-treated subjects with baseline and on-trial hormone measurements, no significant differences were observed between the statin-free and statin-treated groups in mean changes from baseline to on-trial levels in any of the androgens or estrogens, whether or not the postmenopausal women were treated with estrogen.

Conclusion The results suggest that estrogen therapy and statins can be used simultaneously with no deleterious effects on circulating hormone levels.

Key words:

• STATINS
• ESTROGEN THERAPY
• ESTROGENS
• ANDROGENS
• POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Conflict of interest  The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Source of funding  This work was supported by National Institute of Health Grant R01 AG-18798.