Genetic Response to HRT

Researchers have yet to identify which genes in particular control HDL levels in women under hormone replacement therapy. The current study is based on 309 women with coronary artery disease who are on both HRT as well as enrolled in the Estrogen Replacement and Atherosclerosis trial.

Among this study group, researchers have pointed out a set of genes that they claim are associated with increased HDL levels. The 19% of women in this group who had the specific genes also had more than twice the increase in HDL levels after therapy. This stands true even after adjustment for other factors- age, race, diabetes status, BMI, smoking status, alcohol intake and frequency of exercise.

Both sets of women with the genes- those on estrogen only and those on estrogen plus progestin; display increased HDL levels as compared to those without. However, more work needs to be done in order to fully document the relevance of this treatment-by-gene interaction. Moreover, whether the genes play a role in the risk of cardiovascular disease have yet to be verified.