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Raloxifene Does Not Modify Insulin Sensitivity and Glucose Metabolism in Postmenopausal Women

Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A.C., A.Z., S.A., A.V.), University of Modena, 41100 Modena, Italy; and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A.M.P., G.I., M.O., G.B.M.), University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Angelo Cagnacci M.D., Istituto di Ginecologia e Ostetricia, Policlinico di Modena, via del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy. E-mail: . cagnacci{at}unimo.it

Abstract

Insulin sensitivity (Si), glucose tolerance, and lipid metabolism were investigated in osteopenic postmenopausal women before and after 6 months of treatment with raloxifene (60 mg/d) or placebo. In a group of women (n = 34), glucose metabolism was evaluated by means of an oral glucose tolerance test (75 g). In another group of women (n = 24), Si and peripheral glucose utilization not dependent on insulin were evaluated by means of a frequently sampled iv glucose tolerance test associated with the minimal model method. No metabolic modification was observed in women receiving placebo. Raloxifene did not significantly modify high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglycerides, whereas it significantly decreased low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (4.84 ± 0.34 mmol/liter vs. 3.83 ± 0.49 mmol/liter; P = 0.014) and LDL/high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (3.21 ± 0.31 mmol/liter vs. 2.46 ± 0.44 mmol/liter; P = 0.012). Fasting levels and responses to the oral glucose tolerance test of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, and C-peptide/insulin were not modified by raloxifene. Similarly, raloxifene did not modify Si (4.22 ± 4.1 vs. 5.13 ± 1.75), or insulin (0.025 ± 0.003 vs. 0.019 ± 0.002). The present data show that in osteopenic postmenopausal women raloxifene reduces LDL levels but does not modify insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.

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