Effects of tibolone on thromboxane B(2) levels in postmenopausal women

Abstract

This study was carried out in 16 premenopausal (control) and 24 postmenopausal women (study group) to investigate the effect of menopause and tibolone treatment (2.5 mg/day for 6 months) on plasma thromboxane B(2) (TxB(2)), a well-known vasoconstrictor and stimulator of platelet aggregation. The TxB(2) levels were measured using [(125)I] RIA kit. Statistical significance was analyzed by Student's t test for paired and unpaired data, and Pearson's correlation analysis. Plasma TxB(2) concentrations of postmenopausal women were higher than those of premenopausal women. Tibolone treatment decreased plasma TxB(2) in postmenopausal women. There was no correlation between TxB(2) and blood pressure and heart rate. It was concluded that tibolone, decreasing the plasma concentrations of TxB(2), might have beneficial effects on prostaglandin metabolism and thus reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.