The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-atherosclerotic action of natural drug Karinat based on phytoestrogen-rich botanicals in postmenopausal women.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women at least 5 years after menopause
• Maximum intima-media thickness of common carotid artery more than 0,80 mm (ultrasonographic B-mode examination)
• The absence of climacteric syndrome (less than 3 points by Blatt-Kupperman scale)
• The absence of chronic diseases demanding permanent drug administration (more than 2 month per year)
• The absence of hypolipidemic therapy or hormone replacement therapy during 6 months before the inclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

• Administration of lipid-lowering drugs, and/or hormone replacement therapy, and/or phytoestrogens during 6 month before inclusion

• Continuous administration of sulfonylurea derivatives, and/or beta-blockers, and/or calcium antagonists (more than 2 months per year)

• Personal history or diagnostic of following diseases:

  1. Personal history of stroke, coronary heart disease, acute myocardial infarction or transient ischemic attacks
  2. Pulmonary thromboembolism
  3. Chronic heart failure IIa-III
  4. Uncontrolled arterial hypertension (systolic blood pressure > 145 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure > 95 mmHg under hypotensive therapy)
  5. Malignancy
  6. Chronic renal failure II-III
  7. Chronic hepatic failure II-III
  8. Liver cirrhosis
  9. Individual intolerance of Karinat or major side effects