HDL biology
Serum CETP concentration falls in postmenopausal Chinese women and correlates positively with estradiol, negatively with FSH (Clin Chim Acta 2001)
Original title: Relationship between endogenous estrogen concentrations and serum cholesteryl ester transfer protein concentrations in Chinese women
Among 196 Chinese women (52 premenopausal, aged 18 to 40 years; 57 perimenopausal, 41 to 60 years; and 87 postmenopausal, 61 to 81 years), serum CETP concentration was significantly lower in postmenopausal women than in perimenopausal and premenopausal women (1.39 +/- 1.06, 2.36 +/- 1.50, and 2.31 +/- 1.25 mg/l, respectively, P < 0.0001). Even restricted to women around the menopausal transition, CETP concentration was lower in postmenopause than premenopause (1.93 +/- 1.33 vs. 3.42 +/- 1.35 mg/l, P < 0.01). CETP concentration correlated positively with serum estradiol (r = 0.243, P < 0.001) and negatively with follicle-stimulating hormone (r = -0.273, P < 0.001). The authors conclude that estrogen may affect CETP concentration.
Original abstract
Background: CETP plays an important role in HDL metabolism and in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway.
Methods: The relationship between the changes of endogenous estrogen and the concentration of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) in the serum of Chinese women was investigated. Serum concentrations of estradiol (E(2)), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), CETP and lipid profile were determined in 196 Chinese women (52 premenopausal with ages ranging from 18 to 40 years, 57 perimenopausal from 41 to 60 years, and 87 postmenopausal from 61 to 81 years).
Results: Serum CETP concentration was significantly lower in postmenopausal women compared with those in perimenopausal and premenopausal women (1.39+/-1.06, 2.36+/-1.50 and 2.31+/-1.25 mg/l, respectively, P<0.0001). Even in the women around the menopausal, CETP concentration in postmenopause was significantly lower than that in premenopause (1.93+/-1.33 vs. 3.42+/-1.35 mg/l, P<0.01). In addition, CETP concentration had a highly positive correlation with serum concentration of E(2) (r=0.243, P<0.001), while negative correlation of CETP concentration with serum concentration of FSH was found (r=-0.273, P<0.001).
Conclusions: Estrogen may affect the concentration of CETP.
Summary written by cetpinhibition.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 19 August 2026. Methods.