Effects of 17 amp;agr;-dihydroequilenin on plasma lipid and lipoprotein, glucose, insulin concentrations, coronary artery vasomotor function, and reproductive organ and mammary gland proliferation in atherosclerotic mammals

摘要

The present invention relates to a method of using 17&agr;-dihydroequilenin and metabolic conjugates thereof to prevent and reduce atherogenesis in males and females without causing endometrial proliferation in females and without producing feminizing changes in males. 17&agr;-dihydroequilenin was evaluated for its effects on plasma lipid and lipoprotein, glucose, insulin concentrations, coronary artery vasomotor function, and reproductive organ and mammary gland proliferation in atherosclerotic mammals. 17&agr;-dihydroequilenin was found to prevent endothelium-dependent vasoconstriction in males (p0.05) and ovariectomized females (p0.08). 17&agr;-dihydroequilenin treatment increased plasma apolipoprotein A-1 concentrations (p0.05) and lowered fasting insulin concentrations (p0.05) without changing fasting plasma glucose concentrations in males. 17&agr;-dihydroequilenin had no other effects on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in either males or females. Also, 17&agr;-dihydroequilenin exhibited no trophic effects on the uterus, endometrium, or breast, and no effect on either prostatic or testicular weight. Thus, 17&agr;-dihydroequilenin may prevent breast and prostatic hyperplasia and neoplasia, and has no feminizing effects on the male urogenital system or mammary gland.