Menopause-Dependent Plasma Lipoprotein Alterations in Diuretic-Treated Women

Abstract

Effects of chlorthalidone, 100 mg/d [day] given for 6 wk, on serum lipids and lipoproteins were assessed in 22 premenopausal and 18 postmenopausal women. In the latter, chlorthalidone significantly increased total serum cholesterol (13%, P < 0.001), low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (21% P < 0.001) and apoprotein B (16%, P < 0.05). These values were not altered in the premenopausal group. Levels of LDL cholesterol, high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, total and very-low-density triglycerides, apoproteins A1 and A2, and plasma volume, plasma glucose, insulin, epinephrine, estradiol and free fatty acids were unchanged in both groups. Chlorthalidone-induced changes in levels of LDL cholesterol did not correlate significantly with variations in blood pressure, plasma K, uric acid, renin, aldosterone or norepinephrine levels. The thiazide-like diuretic chlorthalidone increases serum LDL cholesterol in postmenopausal, but not in premenopausal women.