Effects of menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive use on serum levels of lipid-soluble antioxidants.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive use on serum levels of lipid-soluble antioxidants.


METHODS
In this cross-section study, nonfasting blood samples were collected twice from 10 healthy premenopausal women during the follicular phase (between days 8 and 11) and the luteal phase (between days 18 and 22) of their same menstrual cycle. In addition, blood samples from 15 premenopausal women who used oral contraceptive for at least 6 months and 40 women who did not use oral contraceptive were collected randomly at any day of the menstrual cycle. Serum levels of coenzyme Q10, alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and lycopene were determined using high pressure liquid chromatography.


RESULTS
Serum coenzyme Q10 and alpha-tocopherol levels were significantly lower during the follicular phase compared with the luteal phase of the same menstrual cycle (P < .05). Oral contraceptive use also significantly decreased coenzyme Q10 and alpha-tocopherol (P < .001). Other antioxidant levels were comparable.


CONCLUSIONS
Alterations in coenzyme Q10 and alpha-tocopherol levels during the menstrual cycle and in oral contraceptive users should be taken into consideration, concerning the future antioxidant research in premenopausal women. Further studies are needed to investigate the potential role of endogenous and exogenous ovarian hormones on oxidative stress in women.
Palan
Prabhudas R
PR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA. daspalan@aol.com
Magneson
Amy T
AT
Castillo
Monique
M
Dunne
James
J
Mikhail
Magdy S
MS
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D003067:Coenzymes; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005498:Follicular Phase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000097:blood; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000097:blood*; D017697:Premenopause / Q000097:blood; D012995:Solubility; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D003067:Coenzymes; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D008055:Lipids; D014451:Ubiquinone; C024989:coenzyme Q10; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol