The effects of alone and combination tamoxifen, raloxifene and estrogen on lipid profile and atherogenic index of ovariectomized type 2 diabetic rats

Abstract Introduction The cardiovascular dysfunctions in postmenopausal diabetic women increase relative to premenopausal women. In this study we evaluated protective effects of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), alone and in combination with estrogen (E2) in diabetic rats with menopausal model. Methods Female rats groups are included: Sham-Control (CTL), Diabetes (DM), and ovariectomized rats divided to DM, DM + Vehicle (Veh), DM + Tamoxifen (TAM), DM + Raloxifene (RLX), DM + Veh + Oil, DM + Oil, DM + E2, DM + E2 + Veh, DM + TAM + E2, DM + RLX + E2. DM was induced by high fat diet and followed by a light dose of streptozotocin. SERMs and E2 were administrated for four weeks after establishment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Results Our results depicts that, T2DM increased triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and fasting blood glucose. Also it decreased high-density lipoprotein, which had exacerbated by ovariectomy. These changes were reversed by using SERMs, E2 and SERMs+E2, although combinatory treatment is more effective than individual treatment. Additionally the cardiovascular indices were also significantly disrupted in ovariectomized diabetic rats, but all therapeutic groups equally improved these disturbances, whereas in TAM + E2 group, the atherogenic index was more decreased than TAM group. Conclusion We concluded that SERMs treatment, individual or in combination with E2 in menopausal model can be efficient substitute for E2 replacement therapy. This study suggests cellular mechanisms of SERMs in future studies.