Influence of oral contraceptives on lipid profile and paraoxonase and commonly hepatic enzymes activities.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to verify the influence of oral contraceptives (OCs) on lipid profile and the arylesterase, lactonase and phosphotriesterase activities of paraoxonase 1 (PON1). Also commonly hepatic enzymes: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and γ-glutamyltranspherase (GGT) were measured. METHODS: Lipid profile and hepatic enzymes were determined using commercial available reagents. Paraoxonase activities were estimated using earlier published procedures. Blood samples were collected from 120 women of similar age (22.6±1.0 years) with similar BMI (20.71±2.20 kg/m2 ). Participations were divided into two groups: 74 females do not take (group A) and 46 women taking OCs (group B). RESULTS: Higher triglycerides and lower low-density lipoproteins levels were observed in group B than in group A) (56.9±19.7 mg/dL. Castelli risk index I was significantly higher in group B when compared to group A (P<.0001), whereas we did not observe any statistically significant differences in Castelli risk index II value between studied groups. In group B, increase in ALT, AST and GGT activities were found, while the de Ritis ratio was lower in group B than in group A. In group B, lower phosphotriesterase activity and higher arylesterase and lactonase activities were found when compared to group A. CONCLUSION: Higher ALT, AST and GGT activities in serum as well as changes in lipid profile and PON activities can indicate that OCs usage can cause disorder in these parameters in the serum of women taking OCs.