A randomized trial on the effect of oral combined estradiol and drospirenone on glucose and insulin metabolism in healthy menopausal women with a normal oral glucose tolerance test

•This prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study recruited 80 healthy postmenopausal women.•We observed a trend towards lower insulin levels in an oral glucose tolerance test among women taking menopausal hormone therapy.•The peak insulin levels in the women taking menopausal hormone therapy...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Maturitas 2020-08, Vol.138, p.36-41
Main Authors: Depypere, H., Dierickx, A., Vandevelde, F., Stanczyk, F., Ottoy, L., Delanghe, J., Lapauw, B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Hormonal treatment
Insulin metabolism
Menopause
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Summary:•This prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study recruited 80 healthy postmenopausal women.•We observed a trend towards lower insulin levels in an oral glucose tolerance test among women taking menopausal hormone therapy.•The peak insulin levels in the women taking menopausal hormone therapy at the end of the study period were significantly lower than at baseline, with a non-significant trend towards a lower total area under the curve.•Menopausal hormone therapy increased glucose levels. Menopause is often associated with a central accumulation of body fat. This provokes insulin resistance. The resulting hyperinsulinemia may increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. Long-term studies indicate that menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) reduces insulin resistance. To broaden knowledge of the mechanisms behind the influence of MHT on glucose homeostasis we focused on the direct short-term effects of MHT with oral combined estradiol and drospirenone on glucose and insulin metabolism in healthy postmenopausal women. This randomized, placebo-controlled study recruited 80 healthy postmenopausal women. Women were randomized to treatment with estradiol 1 mg continuously combined with drospirenone 2 mg or placebo for 6–8 weeks. All participants underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) before and after the treatment period. Glucose, insulin, fructosamine and C-peptide levels were measured in serum before and 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 min after a 75-gram oral glucose challenge. After intervention, significantly higher glucose levels at 120 min (p 
ISSN:0378-5122
1873-4111
DOI:10.1016/j.maturitas.2020.04.009