| abstract |
Provided is a method of preventing or treating a risk factor within an individual against cardiovascular disease by administering to the individual a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of estradiol metabolite. Risk factors include obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, vascular disorders and kidney disease. Suitable estradiol metabolites include 2-methoxyestradiol, 4-methoxyestradiol, 2-hydroxyestradiol and 4-hydroxyestradiol or their prodrugs. The composition may also be in the form of a modified release formulation. Methods of treating or preventing insulin resistance, vascular endothelial dysfunction, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetic nephropathy and proteinuria using estradiol metabolites are provided. The method according to the invention also provides a method for stabilizing the glucose concentration. Because of the lack of feminizing follicular hormone effects, the treatment can be used for both men and women. |