title: Comparative clinical evaluation of the effect on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of two norethisterone-containing hormonal contraceptives: Mesigyna and TriNovum.
abstract: The effect on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of two hormonal contraceptive preparations containing norethisterone (commercially known as Mesigyna and TriNovum) was studied in a total of 60 women, before and after 6 months of treatment. Carbohydrate metabolism was evaluated by means of a euglycemic glucose clamp test; lipid metabolism was monitored by measuring total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides. The two groups were properly matched with the exception of pretreatment levels of cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. At the end of treatment, no difference was found within or between groups in fasting glucose and insulin levels and in glucose rate of disappearance. A significant increase in total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and VLDL-cholesterol was found in both groups at the end of the treatment period; in addition, TriNovum caused a significant increase also in triglycerides. In conclusion, the safety of both preparations with regard to carbohydrate metabolism was confirmed using the most accurate method available; furthermore, changes in lipid metabolism were such as to have little clinical significance.
authors.affiliation: First Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University la Sapienza, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Benagiano
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Primiero
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bastianelli
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Medda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL / Q000097:blood; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000009:adverse effects; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004958:Estradiol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D015309:Glucose Clamp Technique; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D004338:Drug Combinations; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; C418365:estradiol, norethindrone drug combination; C020416:norethindrone acetate, ethinyl estradiol, ferrous fumarate drug combination; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D004958:Estradiol; D002784:Cholesterol; D009640:Norethindrone