Effects on the hemostatic system and liver function in relation to Implanon and Norplant. A prospective randomized clinical trial.

In this prospective randomized clinical trial, two long-term contraceptive implants were studied with respect to hemostasis and liver function in 86 healthy young women. The two implants used were Implanon, containing the progestagen etonogestrel (the biologically active metabolite of desogestrel) and Norplant, the implant containing the progestagen levonorgestrel. The results of the trial showed that both implants had similar small effects on the hemostatic system that are not suggestive of a tendency towards thrombosis.

Plasma lipid and lipoprotein effects of transdermal administration of estradiol and estradiol/norethisterone acetate.

To evaluate the effect of transdermal sequential treatment with estradiol and estradiol/norethisterone acetate on lipoprotein metabolism, 25 postmenopausal women received treatment for 12 cycles of 4 weeks each (2 weeks estradiol 50 micrograms/day and 2 weeks a combined patch delivering norethisterone acetate 0.25 mg/day and estradiol 50 micrograms/day). Blood samples for lipoprotein analyses were drawn before treatment and in estrogen and combined phases in cycles 3 and 12.

Effects on the lipoprotein metabolism of an antiandrogen-estrogen oral contraceptive drug.

The effects on the lipoprotein metabolism of six cycles of treatment with 2 mg of the anti-androgenic progestogen Cyproterone acetate + 50 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol were prospectively studied in 22 healthy premenopausal women. The plasma level of cholesterol (C) was unchanged, while the levels of HDL-C and its subfractions HDL2-C and HDL3-C were significantly elevated after only one cycle. The LDL-C decreased after one month but then returned to pretreatment levels.

Plasma lipoproteins including high density lipoprotein subfractions during normal pregnancy.

In 19 healthy women the levels of plasma lipoprotein fractions were determined before conception, at exact gestational ages every six to 8 weeks during pregnancy, and eight weeks after delivery. The high density lipoprotein level was elevated in the 14th week and showed a maximum rise by 41% in the 28th week of pregnancy because of a doubling of the high density lipoprotein2 level. The low density lipoprotein level decreased in early pregnancy but then increased continuously.

Climacteric symptoms in an unselected sample of Swedish women.

A questionnaire on climacteric symptoms was sent to every woman living in the city of Linköping, Sweden (120,000 inhabitants) who was born in 1928 or 1930. Of the 1246 women concerned, 1118 (90%) responded. At the time of the survey, 252 women (23%) were pre-menopausal.

Profound alterations of the lipoprotein metabolism during danazol treatment in premenopausal women.

Twelve women with pelvic endometriosis were treated with 600 mg of danazol daily for 24 weeks. The molar and fractional lecithin:cholesterol acyl transfer (LCAT) rates and the concentrations of cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglycerides were determined in plasma and in the very low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and HDL2 and HDL3 fractions before, during, and after the medication. After 2 weeks the HDL, HDL2, and HDL3 cholesterol concentrations were reduced by 49%, 73%, and 29%, respectively, while the LDL level was increased by 14%.

Plasma lipoproteins during and after danazol treatment.

Twelve women with pelvic endometriosis were treated with danazol, at a dose of 200 mg three times daily, over a 24-week period. The concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides were determined in plasma and in the lipoprotein fractions. After only 2 weeks the mean high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol had already decreased by 49% and 6 weeks later the reduction was 59%.

L-norgestrel and progesterone have different influences on plasma lipoproteins.

Twenty-six postmenopausal women who had been on cutaneous oestradiol treatment for 3-6 months were given either 120 micrograms of 1-norgestrel (n = 13) or 300 mg of progesterone (n = 13) sequentially for another 6 months. The concentrations of cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides were determined in plasma and in the HDL, HDL2, HDL3, LDL and VLDL fractions before and after one, three and six cycles of progestin treatment. Already after 11 days on 1-norgestrel, the mean HDL cholesterol and the mean HDL phospholipid concentrations were reduced by 15%.

Lipoproteins during oral and cutaneous administration of oestradiol-17 beta to menopausal women.

Thirty-eight post-menopausal women were randomly allocated to substitution treatment with either oestradiol-17 beta orally (2-4 mg) or cutaneously (3 mg). The concentrations of cholesterol (C), triglycerides (TG) and phospholipids were determined in the high density lipoprotein (HDL)-, the low density lipoprotein (LDL)- and the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)- fractions twice before medication and after 2, 4 and 6 months of treatment. Both treatments gave satisfactory clinical results.

Oestrogens, gonadotrophins and SHBG during oral and cutaneous administration of oestradiol-17 beta to menopausal women.

Thirty-eight post-menopausal women were randomly allocated to 6 months of treatment with either 2-4 mg of micronized oestradiol-17 beta taken orally or 3 mg of oestradiol-17 beta applied cutaneously. The plasma concentrations of oestrone, oestradiol, LH, FSH and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were determined twice before and after 2, 4 and 6 months of treatment. In both groups the clinical effects were satisfactory.

High level of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate in the cerebrospinal fluid of adult celiac patients.

Adults with intestinal malabsorption due to celiac disease show reduced central serotonin metabolism, probably induced by a lack of essential dietary factors. Investigating a role proposed for vitamin B6 deficiency, a regular finding in untreated celiacs, the present study yields no support for the hypothesis that direct inhibition at the decarboxylation step by vitamin B6 deficiency accounts for low central serotonin turnover in adult celiacs: 11 untreated patients showing reduced 5-HIAA in the cerebrospinal fluid (71+/- 26.8 pmol/ml) had a significantly higher concentration of the metabolically active B6 vitamer pyridoxal 5'-phosphate in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (0.

Effects of the estrogenicity of levonorgestrel/ethinylestradiol combinations of the lipoprotein status.

Ninety-eight women seeking contraceptive advice were randomly allocated to 6 months of treatment with one of the following four combinations of ethinylestradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (NG): 20/250, 30/250, 30/150, and the so-called triphasic drug. The EE/NG ratios were 0.08, 0.

Lipoprotein changes may be minimized by proper composition of a combined oral contraceptive.

Lipids, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were determined in 98 women treated with combined oral contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (NG) in the following combinations: 20/250, 30/250, 30/150, and a so-called three-phase drug. The EE/NG ratios were 0.08, 0.

Effects of postmenopausal ethinylestradiol treatment on gallbladder bile.

Bile composition was studied in three postmenopausal women without evidence of gallstone disease during administration of 50 micrograms of ethinylestradiol daily. The treatment resulted in an increased fraction of cholesterol in gallbladder bile and a shift in the bile acid composition with decreased relative concentration of chenodeoxycholate and increased fraction of cholate. These changes in bile lipid composition might explain the higher incidence of gallstones in women treated with estrogens.

Plasma lipids and high density lipoproteins during oral contraception with different combinations of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel.

Seventy-five menstruating women seeking contraceptive advice were randomly allocated to treatment with combined oral contraceptives containing either ethinyl estradiol 50 micrograms + levonorgestrel 250 micrograms (50/250), ethinyl estradiol 30 micrograms + levonorgestrel 150 micrograms (30/150) or ethinyl estradiol 50 micrograms + levonorgestrel 125 micrograms (50/125). The concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and HDL-phospholipids were determined after one, three and six months and compared to the mean of two determinations of the same parameters before medication. Triglycerides increased by 18--42 per cent after 1--6 months of treatment with 50/125.

Effects of three different combinations of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel on plasma lipids and high density lipoproteins.

Seventy-five menstruating women seeking contraceptive advice were randomly allocated to treatment with combined oral contraceptives containing either ethinyl estradiol 30 micrograms + levonorgestrel 150 micrograms (30/150), ethinyl estradiol 50 micrograms + levonorgestrel 125 micrograms (50/125) or ethinyl estradiol 50 micrograms + levonorgestrel 250 micrograms (50/250). The concentrations of cholesterol, phospholipids, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, HDL-phospholipids and triglycerides were determined prior to treatment and after one, three and six months of medication. Triglycerides increased by 18--42 per cent after one to six months of treatment with 50/125.

Serum FSH, LH and oestrone levels in postmenopausal patients on oestrogen therapy.

Serum FSH, LH and oestrone levels were determined in postmenopausal women before and at 1, 3 and 6 months after the onset of cyclical treatment with 0.05 mg of ethinyl oestradiol (n = 19) or 2 mg of oestradiol valerianate (n = 20). Most samples from the women taking oestradiol valerianate were also analyzed for oestradiol.