Open AccessStudy on Effect of 30 μg Ethinylestradiol (Ee)+150 μg Desogestrel on Lipid and Lipoprotein Metabolism in Healthy Volunteers, Also in Comparison with 30 μg Ee + 150 μg Levonorgestrel
Author(s) -
Samsioe Göran
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016348209155360
Subject(s) - desogestrel , ethinylestradiol , levonorgestrel , endocrinology , medicine , lecithin , lipid metabolism , cholesterol , population , chemistry , biochemistry , environmental health , family planning , research methodology
. In a cross‐over design study, 15 healthy young volunteers were randomly allocated an oral contraceptive containing 30 μg EE. Preparation A contained in addition 150 μg of a new progestogenic compound, desogestrel, and preparation B 150 μg levonorgestrel. Subjective side effects were few during use of any of the preparations. Preparations A and B induced similar changes in most of the serum lipid and lipoprotein‐lipid parameters. Body weight, triglycerides, VLDL‐triglycerides and LDL‐free cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly lower and HDL‐total cholesterol and triglycerides significantly higher with preparation A than preparation B. The relative fatty acid composition of lecithin revealed with preparation B (as compared with preparation A), higher levels of palmitic and linoleic acids which could be interpreted as an enhancement of pathway I for liver lecithin synthesis which in turn is usually coupled to a reduced capacity of liver excretory function. The present data regarding preparation B are in agreement with those reported by others, while preparation A has not been studied before. The differences observed between preparation A and B are ascribed to the more marked androgen‐like effects of preparation B.