Effects of two different low-dose oral contraceptives on plasma homocysteine levels.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two currently used low-dose combined oral contraceptives (COCs) (20 μg ethinyl estradiol [EE]/150 μg desogestrel [DSG] vs. 20 μg EE/100 μg levonorgestrel [LNG]) on plasma homocysteine levels.


METHODS
A total of 90 participants were enrolled in the study; 30 of them had not been using COC for at least 12 months prior to their enrollment, while 60 were on regular treatment within 12-18 months. Therefore, the control group consisted of 30 participants. Group DSG/EE consisted of 30 women and group LNG/EE consisted of 30 women. Serum samples of homocysteine profile were obtained during the early follicular phase.


RESULTS
Significantly lower serum homocysteine concentrations (Group DSG/EE: 7.2 +/- 1.3; Group LNG/EE: 9.1 +/- 3.2;


METHODS
8.2 +/- 2.2; p<0.05) were observed in DSG/EE group compared to LNG/EE and control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the decrease in homocysteine levels with 20 μg EE/150 μg DSG containing COC was statistically significant, the clinical relevance of our findings needs to be further investigated.
Odabaşi
Ali R
AR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey. arodabasi@gmail.com
Küçük
Mert
M
Yüksel
Hasan
H
Güner
Zekeriya
Z
Sezer
Selda D
SD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D006710:Homocysteine; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D017135:Desogestrel