title: Effects of ethinylestradiol-norethisterone acetate combinations on the ultrastructure of liver, kidney, ovary and endometrium cells.
abstract: Sexually mature female Wistar rats were given 0.05 mg ethinylestradiol (EE) + 0.5 mg norethisterone acetate (NET), or 0.1 mg EE + 1.0 mg NET for 6 or 12 sexual cycles, i.e., for 30 or 60 days. Rat hepatocytes, renal proximal tubule cells, ovarian granulosa cells and endometrial gland cells showed ultrastructural changes that correlated with the dose and duration of EE/NET treatment. The most common ultrastructural features were as follows: reduced RER, mitochondrial damage, and an increased number of lysosomes. The study has shown that EE/NET combinations used in oral contraception produce ultrastructural lesions, which may impair protein biosynthesis and energy production processes, and may simultaneously enhance cellular catabolism.
authors.affiliation: II Department of Histology and Embryology, Silesian Medical Academy, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Czekaj
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nowaczyk-Dura
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ciszkowa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009640:Norethindrone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000633:toxicity; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D000077563:Norethindrone Acetate; D009640:Norethindrone