The effects of Depo-Provera on serum protein levels in Nigerian women.

The concentration of 13 serum proteins were determined in 50 women who had received the 3-monthly intramuscular injection of Depo-Provera for contraception over a mean period of 18 months and 40 women of comparable ages who served as controls. Sera from fasting subjects were used to determine the levels of each specific protein by quantitative immunodiffusion technique. Treatment with Depo-Provera produced increased serum levels of albumin, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, alpha 2-macroglobulin, haptoglobin IgG; reduced levels of alpha 1-antitrypsin, transferrin, C3c, C4 but no change in serum IgA, IgM, C-reactive protein and ceruloplasmin. The significant alterations were observed in serum proteins that are notably synthesized by the liver, an observation consistent with the influences which gonadal hormones exert on the metabolic activities of this organ.

Alterations in blood lipids and side effects induced by depo-provera in Nigerian women.

A fasting plasma lipid profile investigation was undertaken in 63 women who were on contraception with the 3-monthly intramuscular depo-provera injection for periods ranging from 3 to 30 months. Fifty nulliparous women, with no previous history of contraceptive therapy, matched for age, parity, height and socio-economic status, served as controls. History of clinico-physiological side effects was recorded. The results show reduced levels of fasting plasma cholesterol in patients on depo-provera compared to the control group but there was no significant change in fasting plasma phospholipid levels. Contrary to expectations, the patients on depo-provera had higher fasting plasma triglyceride levels than controls. Excessive weight gain and irregular heavy bleeding represent major reasons for withdrawal from depo-provera therapy. The findings suggest that the alterations in the plasma lipid profile, body weight and side effects experienced by women on depo-provera may be inversely related to the duration of effective therapy.

Enzyme-induced modification of the surface properties of lymphoid cells in malignant disease. I. Effect of trypsin on rosette formation by lymphocytes in myelomatosis.

The surface properties of blood lymphocytes from treated myeloma patients and healthy controls were studied in vitro. The patients were tested 6 weeks after the last treatment to allow time for cells to recovery from possible drug toxicity. Peripheral-blood lymphocytes were tested for rosette formation with unsensitized sheep erythrocytes (E rosettes) and with complement and antibody-coated erythrocytes (EAC rosettes). The tests were duplicated using lymphocytes pretreated with trypsin. As others have noted, myelomatosis is associated with increased blood levels of EAC-rosette-forming cells and a marked reduction in E-rosette-forming cells. E-rosette formation was significantly increased by pretreatment of myeloma lymphocytes with trypsin. By contrast, enzyme-treated cells showed no significant change in EAC-rosette formation. These results suggest that the absolute number of circulating T cells is probably not reduced in myelomatosis, but that the surface of T cells is somehow modified so that a proportion of them lose the ability to form E rosettes.