Effect of Raloxifene Treatment on Apolipoproteins and Lipoprotein(a) Concentrations in Postmenopausal Women: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Background and Aim

Although various randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have evaluated the effect of raloxifene on apolipoproteins and lipoprotein(a) concentrations in postmenopausal women, the results have been inconsistent and inconclusive. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis of RCTs to investigate the effect of raloxifene administration on apolipoproteins and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] concentrations in postmenopausal women.

Methods

Two independent researchers systematically searched the scientific literature (including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE) for English-language randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to June 2024. We included RCTs reporting the impact of raloxifene on apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), and Lp(a) levels in postmenopausal women. The primary outcome of interest was change in Lp(a), and the secondary outcomes were changes in ApoA-I and ApoB.

Findings

The present meta-analysis incorporated 12 publications with 14 RCT arms. The comprehensive outcomes derived from the random-effects model revealed a statistically significant increase in ApoA-I (WMD: 6.06 mg/dL, 95% CI: 4.38, 7.75, P < 0.001) and decrease in ApoB concentrations (WMD: -8.48 mg/dL, 95% CI: -10.60, -6.36, P < 0.001) and Lp(a) (WMD: -3.02 mg/dL, 95% CI: -4.83, -1.21, P < 0.001) following the administration of raloxifene in postmenopausal women. In the subgroup analyses, the increase in ApoA-I and the decrease in ApoB and Lp(a) levels were greater in RCTs with a mean participant age of ≥60 years and a duration of ≤12 weeks.

Implications

The current meta-analysis of RCTs demonstrates that treatment with raloxifene reduces ApoB and Lp(a) levels while increasing ApoA-I levels in postmenopausal women. Since these effects on lipid components are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), raloxifene could be a suitable therapy for postmenopausal women who are at an increased risk of CVD and have other medical indications for raloxifene administration.