Effects of two different oral contraceptives on homocysteine metabolism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two different oral contraceptives (OCs) on homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism in 20 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Women were randomly allocated to receive either the biphasic OC containing 40/30 mug ethynylestradiol (EE)+25/125 mug desogestrel (DSG; n=10) or the monophasic OC containing 35 mug EE and 2 mg cyproterone acetate (CPA; n=10). Investigations were performed before and after 6 months of treatment. Fasting vitamin B(12), folate, Hcy and insulin sensitivity (SI), and glucose utilization independent of insulin (Sg), by the minimal model method, were evaluated.


RESULTS
Folate and vitamin B(12) were not significantly modified by either OC. EE/DSG decreased SI (2.53+/-0.35 vs. 1.68+/-0.45; p<.05), without modifying Hcy (9.54+/-0.7 micromol/L vs. 9.18+/-0.6 micromol/L). EE/CPA improved SI (1.47+/-0.38 vs. 3.27+/-0.48; p<.04) and decreased Hcy (9.8+/-1.9 micromol/L vs. 7.9+/-0.9 micromol/L; p<.05). This study indicates that in women with PCOS, EE/CPA, but not EE/DSG, improves IS and decreases fasting Hcy.
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Pediatrics Sciences, University of Modena, Modena, Italy. cagnacci@unimore.it
Angelo
A
Cagnacci
Alessandra
A
Tirelli
Antonietta
A
Renzi
Anna Maria
AM
Paoletti
Annibale
A
Volpe
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D007328:Insulin; D006710:Homocysteine; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate; D017135:Desogestrel; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12