Progesterone increases resistance of ophthalmic and central retinal arteries in
climacteric women.
Author(s): Souza MA(1), Souza BM, Geber S.
Affiliation(s): Author information:
(1)Unimontes Medical School, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Publication date & source: 2013, Climacteric. , 16(2):284-7
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a synthetic progestin on the vascular
resistance of the ophthalmic and central retinal arteries in climacteric women,
compared to placebo, using transorbital ultrasound with Doppler velocimetry.
METHODS: We performed a prospective, randomized, double-blinded,
placebo-controlled study with 216 climacteric women. Subjects were randomly
allocated to one of two groups: either the group receiving placebo (one pill/day
for 30 days) (n = 108) or the group receiving progestin (5 mg medroxyprogesterone
acetate/day for 30 days) (n = 108). Transorbital Doppler velocimetric ultrasound
was performed, before and after treatment; we measured the pulsatility index,
resistance index and systole/diastole ratio.
RESULTS: The mean ages of the participants in the study group and the control
group were 54 ± 6.2 years (range 48-59 years) and 55 ± 6.8 years (range 46-60
years), respectively. When we compared the effect of the progestin on the central
retinal artery before and after treatment, we observed a significant increase
after the treatment in all Doppler indices. The same was observed when we
compared the effect of the progestin on the ophthalmic artery. In the group of
women receiving placebo, the Doppler indices were similar before and after
treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the existence of a progestogenic
vasoconstrictive effect in the ophthalmic and central retinal arteries. As this
study provides new data, the observed effect needs further investigations to
better elucidate its extent. Moreover, our findings may be particularly useful to
others interested in understanding the vascular dynamics of the cerebral vessels
and to researchers running clinical trials related to hormone replacement
therapy.
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