ABSTRACT
Proteins (total, albumin, globulin and their subfractions), carbohydrate (intravenous glucose tolerance test), lipids (serum cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids), and liver function tests (alkaline phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase activities in the serum, bromsulphathalein retention test and serum bilirubin) were studied in 12 non-lactating healthy Thai subjects before, and subsequently at 3 weeks and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after the initiation of treatment with injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate (150 mg I.M. every 90 days). Serum protein and lipid levels, and the results of liver function and I.V. glucose tolerance tests, remained unchanged in all subjects throughout the one-year study period. However, a significant and persistent increased insulin level was noted in all subjects, after initiation of the hormone treatment, during the first thirty minutes of intravenous glucose load. It is concluded that injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate used as a contraceptive agent does not interfere with glucose tolerance, lipid and protein metabolism, and that the liver function remains normal during its administration.
PIP: Total proteins (albumin, globulins and their fractions); carbohydrate (intravenous glucose tolerance); lipid (serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids); and liver functioning (alkaline phosphatase, lactic dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase activities in serum, bromsulfathalein retention, and serum bilirubin); were assayed in 12 Thai women who were not lactating. The tests were performed before, and 3 weeks, 3,6,9, and 12 months after the advent of treatment with medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), which was injected intramuscularly in 150-mg doses every 90 days. Triglyceride concentration was unchanged overall; however, mean fasting triglyceride concentration on Day 20 decreased significantly when compared with Day -33 pretreatment control (P .025). A significant increase ( P .01) in mean fasting cholesterol was demonstrated on Day 20; this, however, was thought to be caused by the high dietary lipid intake during hospitalization rather than an effect of the DMPA. In general, serum protein and lipid levels, and liver function and glucose tolerance, remained unchanged over 1 year. There was, however, a significant and persistent increase in insulin level in all subjects after initiation of hormone treatment during the first 30 minutes of intravenous glucose load. The study concludes that DMPA does not interfere with glucose tolerance, lipid and protein metabolism, or liver function during its administration.
