title: Markers for cardiovascular disease in monozygotic twins discordant for the use of third-generation oral contraceptives.
abstract: Oral contraceptives (OC) modulate the risk for developing cardiovascular (CV) diseases. The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of third-generation OC has an impact on markers of CV disease in genetically identical women. We performed an intrapair comparison in 27 monozygotic twin pairs, one of whom was taking third-generation OC, whereas the other was not using OC. Biometric parameters were ascertained and conventional and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) was recorded. A fasting blood sample was taken for the measurement of glucose, insulin, proinsulin, lipids, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1). Insulin resistance and beta-cell function were calculated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). A 24-h urine sample for cortisol was obtained. Third-generation OC use increased 24-h ambulatory systolic and diastolic BP by 5.2 and 3.9 mmHg, respectively (both P=0.0003). There was no effect on glucose, insulin and proinsulin levels, and on HOMA parameters, but the IGFBP-1 levels were markedly raised (P=0.0009). The lipid profile showed a 34% increase in triglyceride levels (P < 0.0001), but also a 7% increase in HDL-cholesterol levels (P=0.037). Use of third-generation OC impacts on CV disease markers in young-adult genetically identical women. Some changes are beneficial (increased HDL-cholesterol), whereas others may be deleterious (increased BP and triglyceride levels) or have unknown effects at this time (increased IGFBP-1 levels).
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport and Movement Sciences, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. loosr@pbrc.edu
authors.forename: R J F
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Loos
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Verhaeghe
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Zegher
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Beunen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Derom
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fagard
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mathieu
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vlietinck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics*; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004200:Diseases in Twins; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000652:urine; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D011372:Progestins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D011384:Proinsulin / Q000097:blood; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D007328:Insulin; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1; D008055:Lipids; D011372:Progestins; D011384:Proinsulin; D006854:Hydrocortisone