Question

Assertion (A): Systemic estrogens as HRT are indicated in post-menopausal women with hypertriglyceridemia.

Reason (R): The systemic estrogens induce the hepatic synthesis of lipoproteins.

• A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
• B. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
• C. A is true but R is false.
• D. A is false but R is true.

Hint:

Oral estrogen raises hepatic triglyceride output through its first-pass liver effect.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

This question is about whether oral estrogen HRT suits a postmenopausal woman who already has high triglycerides.

1. Assertion: Oral estrogen passes through the liver first, and there it boosts triglyceride-rich VLDL production, pushing triglycerides even higher. In a woman already dealing with hypertriglyceridemia, this is a risk rather than a benefit, so systemic oral estrogen is not the right choice here. The assertion is therefore false.
2. Reason: The claim that estrogen drives hepatic lipoprotein synthesis is medically accurate. This liver effect is a well known and true pharmacological fact about oral estrogens.

So the reason is true and actually explains why estrogen should be avoided or used cautiously here, but the assertion draws the wrong conclusion by calling it indicated instead of risky. That combination is: assertion false, reason true.

Let's summarize:

• Oral estrogen raises hepatic VLDL and triglyceride output through the first-pass effect.
• This makes it a poor choice in women who already have high triglycerides.
• A transdermal route bypasses the liver first-pass effect and is safer in this setting.

So the final answer is: A is false but R is true.