Changes in lipoprotein composition in women receiving two low-dose oral contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol and gonane progestins.
In a prospective double-blind study of the effects of two low-dose oral contraceptives (OCs) on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, two groups of eighteen young healthy women selected at random were submitted to a six months' use of either monophasic ethinylestradiol (EE) + desogestrel (DG) or triphasic EE + levonorgestrel (LNG). Total cholesterol (C), triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) together with apoproteins A-I, A-II, B and lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase activity (LCAT) were determined in serial plasma samples collected before, at three and six months during, and one month after OC use. Cholesterol and apoproteins (A-I, A-II, B) composition of lipoproteins (HDL-2, HDL-3, LDL) isolated by ultracentrifugation were additionally determined. On Mono-EE + DG, plasma TG (+39.3%, +45.6%), PL (+21.9%, +16.8%) and apo A-I (+35.5%, +23.3%) levels were significantly increased at 3 and 6 months of use; plasma HDL-C (+24%) and Apo A-II (+21.4%) were transiently increased at 3 months. Lipid and apoprotein composition of HDL-2, HDL-3 and LDL were unchanged. On Tri-EE + LNG, a slight but not significant decrease in HDL-C was observed throughout the study while other plasma lipids and apoproteins were unchanged. Ultracentrifugation revealed a lower content of C (-44.2%) and apo A-I (-44.6%) in HDL-2. LCAT activity expressed as molar esterification rate (MER) rose in a more sustained way during EE + DG use than during EE + LNG treatment. Covariance analysis shows a further significant difference between results of both treated groups for the Apo AI/Apo B ratio that was increased by Mono-EE + DG.
Harvengt
C
C
Laboratoire de Pharmacothérapie, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Desager
J P
JP
Gaspard
U
U
Lepot
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017135:Desogestrel; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D009644:Norgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011446:Prospective Studies
D001053:Apolipoproteins; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D008074:Lipoproteins; D009652:Norpregnenes; D009644:Norgestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D017135:Desogestrel