Stimulation by estradiol benzoate of hepatic β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase in normal and ovariectomized rats

The effect of estradiol benzoate on β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity and plasma cholesterol level gas been studied in normal and ovariectomized rats. Daily administration of estradiol benzoate (25 μg and 100 μg) for 21 days resulted in a 1.7 and 2.5 fold increase in reductase activity in normal and ovariectomized rats, respectively. Plasma cholesterol levels were increased by 18% in normal rats and 38% in ovariectomized rats. The observed changes for the two treatment groups were similar even though the body weight for these groups were significantly different.