title: Implanon use lowers plasma concentrations of high-molecular-weight adiponectin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of the low-dosed etonogestrel-releasing contraceptive implant Implanon on new cardiovascular risk markers, we studied the effect of this implant on adiponectin and its metabolically important isomer high-molecular-weight adiponectin (HMW). Low-dosed progestagen-only contraception is preferentially prescribed to females with increased cardiovascular risks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Family-planning center of a university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty healthy nonsmoking women with regular cycles (n=20 controls without hormonal contraception; n=20 cases wishing the insertion of Implanon).
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples for the measurements of adiponectin, HMW, C-reactive protein (CRP), sex hormone binding globulin, sexual hormones, and plasma lipids were taken in the early follicular phase of the cycle in both groups. A second sample was taken 12 weeks after Implanon insertion or in the controls during the early follicular phase of cycle four.
  
  
  METHODS
  At baseline there was a significant correlation between adiponectin and the parameters hsCRP and high-density lipoprotein. Implanon treatment caused a significant decrease in HMW and the HMW/adiponectin ratio. Additionally plasma lipids (cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein), sex hormone binding globulin, and testosterone levels decreased significantly. Adiponectin plasma concentrations were not affected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term Implanon use in healthy premenopausal women was associated with a decrease in the cardioprotective adiponectin isomer HMW. It remains to be investigated if this decrease persists after longer use of the implant.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland. gabriele.merki@usz.ch
authors.forename: Gabriele S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Merki-Feld
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Imthurn
authors.forename: Marinella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosselli
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Spanaus
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry; D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017135:Desogestrel / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: C499918:ADIPOQ protein, human; D052242:Adiponectin; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; C044815:etonogestrel; D013739:Testosterone; D017135:Desogestrel