title: Effects of oral contraceptives on natriuretic peptide levels in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea: a pilot study.
abstract: Natriuretic peptides, which are important regulators of salt handling and blood pressure, are 60%-75% higher in healthy young women than in men, consistent with a gender dimorphism. In this randomized, placebo-controlled study in women with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea, we show that administration of oral contraceptives (OC) increases natriuretic peptide levels and that end-of-study free T levels are inversely associated with amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels, consistent with the hypothesis that natriuretic peptide levels may be mediated by differences in gonadal steroid concentrations-estrogens (E) or androgens.
authors.affiliation: Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grinspoon
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Karen K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001900:Boston; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007027:Hypothalamic Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016014:Linear Models; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone