Objective: Increases in serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and soluble adhesion molecules sE-selectin and sICAM-1 are regarded as risk factors of atherosclerosis now. We aimed to analyse an effect of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) by transdermal 17-b estrogen on the variables. Design: A clinical study. Setting: Division of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Hospital, Jièín and Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. Methods: Serum concentrations of CRP (by immunoturbidimetry) and sE-selectin and sICAM-1 (both by ELISA test) were examined in 19 women (median age 50.0 years) after hysterectomy with both side adnexectomy before and after 4 months of continuous transdermal substitution by 17-b estradiol (ERT) in 1.5 mg dose daily. Data were compared by paired t-test or by Wilcoxon test. P = 0.05, or below was taken as significant. Results: Serum concentration of C-reactive protein was decreased in treated women after 4 months of ERT (before ERT 1.82 ± 2.20 mg/l, after 4 months of ERT 0.28 ± 0.55 mg/l; p = 0.006) as well as both soluble adhesion molecules: sE-selectin (before ERT 45.13 ± 17.3 mg/l, after 4 months of ERT 31.39 ± 9.03 mg/l; p = 0.027) and sICAM-1 (before ERT 271.84 ± 62.30 mg/l, after 4 months of ERT 242.86 ± 62.32 mg/l; p = 0.026). Conclusion: Transdermal substitution with 17-b estradiol may reduce one of risk factor of atherogenesis in treated women after hysterectomy with both side adnexectomy.

        Key words: estradiol, C-reactive protein, E-selectin, ICAM-1