[Liver function studies under the influence of hormonal contraceptives (sequential preparations)]

Area of Science:

• Hormonal therapy
• Hepatotoxicity assessment
• Clinical biochemistry

Background:

• Oral contraceptives containing estrogen and gestagenes are widely used.
• Potential impact of hormonal contraceptives on liver function requires ongoing investigation.
• Understanding biochemical changes during the initial treatment cycle is crucial for patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of mestranol combined with chlormadinonacetate or norethisteronacetate on specific liver function tests.
• To identify any significant alterations in biochemical markers during the first therapeutic cycle of these hormonal agents.

Main Methods:

• Prospective investigation of 20 fertile women undergoing hormonal therapy.
• Analysis of serum markers including alkaline phosphatase, ASAT, ALAT, alpha-amylase, cholesterol, bilirubin, and serum proteins.
• Assessment of indocyanine green half-time, paper electrophoresis of serum proteins, thymol, and zinc sulfate turbidity tests.

Main Results:

• Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) activity was observed during treatment with mestranol/chlormadinonacetate (6.3 to 12.14 U/L).
• A decrease in ALAT activity (up to 5.34 U/L) was noted with the addition of chlormadinonacetate.
• Statistically significant changes were found specifically for ALAT and alpha 1 globulin levels during sequential therapy with mestranol/norethisteronacetate.

Conclusions:

• Hormonal therapy with mestranol and specific gestagenes can induce biochemical alterations, particularly affecting ALAT levels.
• The combination of mestranol with chlormadinonacetate showed a notable increase in ALAT, while its addition to mestranol/norethisteronacetate led to a depression.
• Sequential therapy with mestranol/norethisteronacetate demonstrated statistically significant impacts on ALAT and alpha 1 globulin, warranting further clinical consideration.