Interleukin-6 and flow-mediated dilatation as markers of increased vascular inflammation in women receiving hormone therapy

Abstract

Postmenopausal hormone therapy is associated with decreased vascular inflammation; however, in patients with a longer time since menopause, postmenopause hormone therapy may increase inflammation and worsen endothelial function. These unfavorable vascular effects may be detected by an elevation in IL-6 levels and by a lack of improvement in endothelial function.