Changes in serum apo-lipoprotein AI and sex-hormone-binding globulin levels after treatment with two different progestins administered alone and in combination with ethinyl estradiol.
Twenty women, oophorectomized as part of the surgical treatment for cervical carcinoma in either clinical stage IB or IIA but otherwise healthy, participated in the study. After a period of six weeks without hormonal treatment, ten of them were given 150 micrograms desogestrel (DG) daily for three weeks followed by 150 micrograms DG + 30 micrograms ethinyl estradiol (EE) for six weeks and, finally, 30 micrograms EE alone for three weeks. The remaining ten women were given 150 micrograms levonorgestrel (NORG) and EE in a similar regimen. Before treatment and after each period of treatment, apo-lipoprotein AI and sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were assayed in serum. Both progestins decreased apo-AI and SHBG when given alone, thereby indicating an "androgenic" influence. In combination with EE, however, DG seems to be less "anti-oestrogenic" than NORG, as judged from the higher apo-AI and SHBG values after the combination DG + EE compared to those after NORG + EE.
D000328:Adult; D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017135:Desogestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009644:Norgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis*
D016632:Apolipoprotein A-I; D001053:Apolipoproteins; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D009652:Norpregnenes; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D009644:Norgestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D017135:Desogestrel