Effects of oral ethinyl oestradiol and norethisterone on plasma copper and zinc complexes in post-menopausal women.
Orally administered ethinyl oestradiol increased the plasma total copper concentration and reduced the albumin concentration in post-menopausal women. Approximately 80% of the increase in copper was due to a rise in caeruloplasmin-bound copper and 20% to an increase in the amount of copper bound per gram of albumin. The plasma total zinc concentration was reduced, due partly to the decrease in albumin concentration and partly to a reduction in the amount of zinc bound per gram of albumin. Norethisterone had no significant effect on plasma copper but it reduced plasma zinc and albumin, though to a lesser extent than ethinyl oestradiol. When administered sequentially with ethinyl oestradiol, norethisterone diminished the effects of the former on plasma copper, zinc and albumin.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
D001798:Blood Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc; D009640:Norethindrone