title: Effect of a combined estrogen and progesterone oral contraceptive on circulating adipocytokines adiponectin, resistin and DLK-1 in normal and obese female rhesus monkeys.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hormonal contraception is the most common medication used by reproductive aged women but there is little understanding of the impact of hormonal contraception on obesity and metabolism. Adipokine levels (adiponectin, resistin) and markers of adipocyte development (DLK-1) are altered in obese animals and humans and are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We sought to determine the effect of combined hormonal oral contraceptive pills (COCs) on circulating adiponectin, resistin and DLK-1 levels in obese and normal-weight rhesus macaque monkeys.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum adiponectin, resistin and DLK-1 levels in reproductive-age female rhesus macaques of normal (n = 5, mean = 5.76 kg) and inherently obese (n = 5, mean = 8.11 kg) weight were determined before, during and 2 months after cessation of 8 months of continuous treatment with COCs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The obese group alone showed a significant decrease (p<.01) in weight with COC use, which returned to baseline after COC cessation. Baseline adiponectin levels prior to COC treatment were lower in the obese group (p<.05). Adiponectin levels increased from baseline in both groups, but more so in the obese group (p<.05). Resistin levels were similar at baseline, with an increase in both groups following treatment. Circulating resistin remained elevated above baseline levels after COC cessation, particularly in the obese group (p<.05). While DLK-1 levels did not change significantly in either group, a trend for higher levels in obese animals was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  COC use may alter metabolic processes via direct (resistin) or indirect (adiponectin) means, while unchanging DLK1 levels suggest they do not affect adipocyte development. COCs may directly increase resistin levels, as observed in both groups. As adiponectin is inversely related to adipocyte mass, increased levels in the obese group are likely attributed to weight loss.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Family Planning, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. kateshaw@stanford.edu
authors.forename: Kate A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Jon D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Hennebold
authors.forename: Alison B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Edelman
mesh_terms: D050156:Adipogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D054392:Adipokines / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D050154:Adiposity / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000097:blood; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D011374:Progesterone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D052243:Resistin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D054392:Adipokines; D052242:Adiponectin; D015415:Biomarkers; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D004967:Estrogens; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D052243:Resistin; D011374:Progesterone