Raloxifene reduces procarboxypeptidase U, an antifibrinolytic marker. A 2-year randomized, placebo-controlled study in healthy early postmenopausal women

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the long-term effects of two dosages of raloxifene with oral hormone therapy (HT; conjugated equine estrogens combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate) on procarboxypeptidase U. Design: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-year study, 95 healthy, nonhysterectomized, early postmenopausal women received either daily raloxifene 60 mg (n = 24), raloxifene 150 mg (n = 23), HT (conjugated equine estrogens 0.625 mg + medroxyprogesterone acetate 2.5 mg, n = 24), or placebo (n = 24). At baseline and after 6, 12, and 24 months, fasting plasma procarboxypeptidase U concentrations were measured. Results: Six months of treatment with raloxifene 60 mg and raloxifene 150 mg were associated with significant decreases in plasma procarboxypeptidase U concentrations, which were sustained after 12 and 24 months. Raloxifene 60 mg: t = 0, 619 ± 89 U/L (mean ±SD); t = 6, 574 ± 87 U/L; t = 12, 571 ± 96 U/L; t = 24, 568 ± 92 U/L; ANCOVA versus placebo, P = 0.026. Raloxifene 150 mg: t = 0, 608 ± 67 U/L; t = 6,580 ± 73 U/L; t = 12, 578 ± 70 U/L; t = 24, 562 ± 61 U/L; ANCOVA versus placebo, P = 0.039. No significant changes were found in the HT group. Conclusion: Long-term treatment with raloxifene reduced procarboxypeptidase U plasma concentrations.