Recent studies indicate that FSAP may play roles in the development and expression of atherosclerosis and that FSAP can be involved in the precipitation of coronary heart disease. It was demonstrated, that hormone therapy (HT) has a protective role in coronary heart disease (CHD) in younger postmenopausal women, whereas hormone therapy contributes to coronary heart disease in older women.

The authors explored the potential influence of various hormone therapy regimens on plasma measures of FSAP antigen and activity in postmenopausal women (n= 139) treated for 1 year with different hormone therapy formulations or no hormone therapy.

In conclusion, hormone therapy increases FSAP antigen levels and the scu-PA activating properties of FSAP, suggesting that FSAP may contribute to the CVD-protective effect of hormone therapy observed in younger, postmenopausal women.

Title:
Hormone therapy affects plasma measures of factor VII-activating protease in younger postmenopausal women

Authors and Source:
Sidelmann JJ et al. Climacteric. 2010 Mar 12. [Epub ahead of print]