Evaluating the Roles of Estrogen and Progesterone in Heart Metabolism

• Status: Terminated
• Trial end date: 2008-01-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: Female

Summary

Estrogen and progesterone are two main female sex hormones. When a woman goes through menopause, the body's production of estrogen and progesterone significantly decreases. Recent studies have shown that the breakdown of fatty acids in cardiac muscle is important in maintaining a healthy heart, and that estrogen may enhance this process. Also, cardiovascular disease (CVD) occurs more frequently in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women. This study will determine in postmenopausal women whether estrogen increases the heart's ability to use fats as energy and whether progesterone decreases this effect.

• Phase: N/A
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Washington University School of Medicine
• Collaborators: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI); Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
• Treatments: Estradiol; Estradiol 17 beta-cypionate; Estradiol 3-benzoate; Estradiol valerate; Estrogens; Polyestradiol phosphate; Progesterone

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy postmenopausal woman

• Body mass index less than 30

• Practices normal eating habits

• Stops hormone replacement therapy at least 6 months prior to study entry

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently taking hormone replacement therapy

• History of cardiovascular disease

• Family history of coronary artery disease

• Recent history of smoking, high blood pressure, or hyperlipidemia