# Effects of Novel Estrogens on Glucose and Lipids in Postmenopausal Prediabetic Women Veterans

> **NIH VA IK2** · SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA VETERANS HEALTH CARE · 2024 · —

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
One in four women dies from cardiovascular disease (CVD), and living in a postmenopausal estrogen-deficient
state increases susceptibility to metabolic dysfunction and CVD. The candidate’s long-term goal is to develop
an independent research career as a translational endocrinologist focused on the development of novel science-
based strategies for treating or preventing metabolic syndrome and associated comorbidities in menopausal
women. The overall research objective for this Career Development Award (CDA-2) is to identify the effect of a
novel menopause hormone therapy (a combination of conjugated estrogens and bazedoxifene (CE/BZA)) on
glucose and lipid homeostasis in obese menopausal women veterans with prediabetes and early diabetes. The
central hypothesis is that treatment with CE/BZA will improve beta-cell function and therefore glucose
homeostasis and promote hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) without promoting hepatic lipid accumulation. The
rationale for the proposed research program is that its successful completion will provide important new insights
regarding the use of CE/BZA to prevent or treat estrogen deficiency-induced metabolic dysfunction in obese
postmenopausal women, while at the same time providing the means to establish the candidate’s early research
independence as a translational scientist. Two specific aims are proposed: 1) Validate that CE/BZA improves
beta cell function, and 2) identify the mechanisms of CE/BZA on hepatic DNL. The physical and intellectual
research environments at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Healthcare System (SLVHCS) are supportive of
professional development in the areas of sex hormones and diabetes. Three training goals are proposed: 1)
Gaining expertise in prospective clinical study design and implementation, 2) obtaining proficiency in commonly
used basic and translational science research techniques for assessment of glucose homeostasis and lipid
metabolism, and 3) expanding the candidate’s professional portfolio, including grant proposal writing, networking,
mentoring and communication skills. The proposed research is significant because in the future, with more
insight into the clinical and molecular mechanisms of CE/BZA, it may be possible to prevent or treat estrogen
deficiency-induced metabolic dysfunction, including obesity, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in postmenopausal women, all of which play a key role in cardiovascular
complications. Findings from the proposed research are expected to position the candidate to submit a
competitive VA Merit application focusing on treating or preventing metabolic syndrome and associated
comorbidities in menopausal women veterans. Ultimately, results of this research continuum are expected to
have an important positive impact on developing innovative therapies to decrease risk for CVD, the leading
cause of death for women worldwide.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10731358
- **Project number:** 5IK2CX002225-03
- **Recipient organization:** SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA VETERANS HEALTH CARE
- **Principal Investigator:** Dragana Lovre
- **Activity code:** IK2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-10-01 → 2026-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10731358

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10731358, Effects of Novel Estrogens on Glucose and Lipids in Postmenopausal Prediabetic Women Veterans (5IK2CX002225-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10731358. Licensed CC0.

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