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In women, cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for about half of all deaths in Western countries. It is generally accepted that endogenous estrogen protects premenopausal women from CVD. However, whether postmenopausal hormone therapy (HT) confers cardiovascular benefit or harm remains controversial. One of the most pronounced factors modifying the cardiovascular effects of HT is age or time since menopause at the initiation of HT. Recently also the impact of hot flushes on CVD risk and the outcomes of HT has gained attention. This review summarizes the newest data regarding HT and CVD in recently postmenopausal women aged 50-59 years in light of the results from older HT trials. The aim is to help clinicians counsel their patients regarding the individual risks and benefits associated with HT use in this age group, where HT use is most prevalent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Levels of nitric oxide metabolites are elevated in the cervical fluid of women with high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV). To elucidate the origin of this elevation we studied the cervical expression and localization of endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthases (eNOS, iNOS) in women. Material and methods. Expression of eNOS and iNOS was studied by Western blotting in the uterine cervixes of 86 women with ( n = 41) and without ( n = 45) hrHPV infection. The localization of eNOS and iNOS in cervical cells was studied by immunohistochemistry in 32 randomly selected women. Results. Expression of eNOS and iNOS (in mean [95% CI] density units relative to actin) was higher in women with hrHPV versus those without (eNOS: 33.8 [22.5-45.1] versus 20.2 [6.1-34.3], P = 0.007; iNOS: 12.0 [7.1-16.9]) versus 5.6 [2.0-9.2], P = 0.003). Smoking reduced 64% eNOS ( P = 0.001) and 68% iNOS ( P = 0.008) in women with hrHPV. Endothelial NOS was localized in the vascular endothelium, while iNOS was present in basal squamous epithelial cells. Low-grade histological lesions were accompanied by elevated expression of both eNOS and iNOS. Conclusions. High-risk HPV-associated elevation in cervical fluid nitric oxide metabolites results from both eNOS and iNOS stimulation. However, smoking seems to suppress this stimulation in hrHPV-infected women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]