Hormone therapy, C-reactive protein, and progression of atherosclerosis: Data from the Estrogen Replacement on Progression of Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis (ERA) trial

Estrogen and estrogen plus medroxyprogesterone significantly raise CRP levels in women with established coronary disease. In contrast, IL-6 levels are not affected by estrogen or estrogen plus progestin. Estrogen-induced changes in CRP are not associated with progression of atherosclerosis.