Maturitas
Volume 61, Issue 4 , Pages 330-333, 20 December 2008

Effects of estrogen versus estrogen and progesterone on cortisol and interleukin-6

  • Kate M. Edwards

      Affiliations

    • School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +44 121 414 2517; fax: +44 121 414 4121.
    • ,
  • Paul J. Mills

      Affiliations

    • Department of Psychiatry, UCSD Medical Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

Received 4 July 2008; received in revised form 23 September 2008; accepted 24 September 2008. published online 31 October 2008.

Abstract 

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 3 months of estrogen replacement therapy, estrogen plus progesterone replacement therapy and a placebo, on the resting cortisol and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in post-menopausal women.

Methods

Forty-three women were randomised to one of three treatment arms: estradiol 2mg/day (ERT), estradiol 2mg/day plus medroxyprogesterone acetate 5mg/day (HRT), or a placebo that was administered orally for 3 months.

Results

Cortisol levels showed a significant condition by intervention interaction. Post hoc tests showed that ERT significantly increased cortisol levels after treatment compared to baseline, while in the HRT group a trend toward increased cortisol was found. No changes were observed in IL-6 levels.

Conclusions

Estrogen administration elevated cortisol levels, but this effect may be moderated by progestins. IL-6 was not altered by ERT or HRT, future studies should consider the interaction of cortisol increases on change in IL-6 expression.

Keywords: Estrogen, Cortisol, Interleukin-6, Hormone replacement therapy, Menopause

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PII: S0378-5122(08)00258-2

doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2008.09.024

Maturitas
Volume 61, Issue 4 , Pages 330-333, 20 December 2008

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