Comparative analysis of oestrogen and raloxifene effects on the phospholipid composition of high density lipoproteins in healthy postmenopausal women

Abstract

The beneficial effect of selective oestrogen receptor modulators such as raloxifene in cardiovascular disease may be mediated partly by favourable changes in the phospholipid composition of high density lipoprotein (HDL) subclasses. In Group A (oestrogen alone) HDL2 phosphatidylcholine increased (P < 0.001), while there was a decrease in HDL2 phosphatidylinositol (P < 0.05) and HDL2 phosphatidylethanolamine (P < 0.05) compared to controls (baseline). In the same group, HDL3 phosphatidylcholine increased (P < 0.001) and HDL3 phosphatidylethanolamine decreased (P < 0.01). In Group B (raloxifene) HDL2 phosphatidylcholine increased (P < 0.001) as well as HDL2 diphosphatidylglycerol (P < 0.01) while there were decreases in HDL2 sphingomyelin (P < 0.01) and HDL₂ phosphatidylethanolamine (P < 0.05). In the same group, an increase in HDL3 phosphatidylcholine (P < 0.001) and a reduction in HDL3 phosphatidylinositol (P < 0.05) were observed as well as a decrease in HDL3 phosphatidylethanolamine (P < 0.01) and HDL3 diphosphatidylglycerol (P < 0.05). The significance of these results is discussed.