title: Lipoprotein changes may be minimized by proper composition of a combined oral contraceptive.
abstract: Lipids, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were determined in 98 women treated with combined oral contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (NG) in the following combinations: 20/250, 30/250, 30/150, and a so-called three-phase drug. The EE/NG ratios were 0.08, 0.12, 0.20, and 0.35, respectively. The HDL cholesterol and the HDL cholesterol to cholesterol ratios were markedly reduced by 20/250 and 30/250, whereas 30/150 and the three-phase drug caused only minor reductions. The mean change in HDL cholesterol showed a good correlation with the mean changes in SHBG (r = 0.916) and with the EE/NG ratios (r = 0.979). It is concluded that SHBG may be used as an index of estrogenicity of a combined oral contraceptive agent and that EE and NG may be balanced in such a way that undesirable effects on lipid metabolism are minimized.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D009644:Norgestrel / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D008074:Lipoproteins; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D010743:Phospholipids; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D014280:Triglycerides; D009644:Norgestrel; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D002784:Cholesterol