Selective elevation of plasma free cholesterol concentration by administration of estrogen in the presence of total biliary obstruction.
On the basis of clinical observations suggesting interactive effects of biliary obstruction and estrogen therapy on plasma cholesterol levels, a prospective study of the effect of ethinyl estradiol on plasma lipid levels was carried out in a patient with total biliary obstruction. A daily dose of 50 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol raised the plasma free cholesterol concentration from 265 mg/dl to 550 mg/dl over a period o 3 weeks; there was no change in plasma ester cholesterol concentration. Withdrawal of the estrogen was followed by a fall to baseline of the free cholesterol concentration over a 45-day period; once again there was no change in ester cholesterol. Plasma phospholipid concentration rose and fell in direct proportion to the changes in free cholesterol; plasma triglyceride concentration was unaffected by the estrogen. To account for the results of this study, it is suggested that the already elevated plasma levels of lipoprotein-X in biliary obstruction are further elevated by estrogen administration.
D000368:Aged; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000097:blood*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D002788:Cholesterol Esters / Q000097:blood; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D002788:Cholesterol Esters; D010743:Phospholipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D002784:Cholesterol