Effects of estrogen and psychological stress on plasma homocysteine levels☆

Abstract 

Objective

To investigate the effects of estrogen (E) and psychological stress on plasma total homocysteine levels in relation to menopausal status.

Design

Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

Setting

The General Clinical Research Center of a university hospital.

Patient(s)

Thirty-six postmenopausal women and 26 premenopausal women. Both samples were healthy nonsmokers.

Intervention(s)

Both premenopausal and postmenopausal women were subjected to a 6-minute psychological stressor. Postmenopausal women were randomized to one of three treatment arms: 2 mg of E₂ or 2 mg of E₂ + 5 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), or a placebo, all of which were given orally for 3 months. The psychological stressor was readministered after the 3-month regimen.

Main outcome measure(s)

Plasma total homocysteine levels were measured before and after the psychological stressor on one occasion for premenopausal women and before and after hormone replacement or placebo for postmenopausal women.

Result(s)

There were no significant differences in homocysteine levels between premenopausal (7.2 ± 1.7 μmol/L; mean ± SD) and postmenopausal women (7.9 ± 2.06; mean ± SD). There was no effect of stress or hormone replacement on homocysteine levels.

Conclusion(s)

Psychological stress, menopausal status, and oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT) do not affect plasma total homocysteine levels in women with normal basal homocysteine levels.

Keywords:  Homocysteine, menopause, estrogen, progesterone, stress