Some Biochemical Alternations Associated with Oral Contraceptives And Atherosclerosis in Albino Rats.

Abstract

An excess intake of vitamin D2 can result in mobilization of calcium in the skeleton and increase the serum calcium level. This calcium is taken up by soft tissues such as arteries. The risk of calcium builds up in arteries, a significant component of atherosclerotic plaque. Many researches clarify the relationship between oral contraceptives and atherosclerosis. This study aims to evaluate the changes in some biochemical parameters as well as the histopathological examination of liver and aorta following the administration of hormonal oral contraceptives (O .CS) with different concentrations of estrogen (ethinyle-estradiol) (E.E) and progestogen DL-norgestrel (norethindrone) (NOR.) to the atherosclerotic rats. In addition to this, the study clarifies the role of low dose oral contraceptives. 48 adult female albino rats were divided into six comparable groups of 8 animals each. Group I (Gr.1) was considered as control, group II (Gr. II) was intramuscularly (i.m.) injected with vit. D2 350.000 IU /kg B.W., group III (Gr. III) administered O.C (35 g E.E/0.5 mg NOR.), group IV (Gr. IV) received (vit. D2 350.000 I.U vit. D2 /kg B.W plus O.C 35 g E.E/0.5 mg.), group V(Gr.V) received (vit. D2 350.000 I.U/kg B.W. plus O.C 35 g E.E/1mg NOR.), group VI (Gr.VI) received (vit. D2350.000 I.U /kg B.W.plus O.C 70 g E.E/0.5 mg NOR.) daily for an experimental period eight weeks.Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) displayed significant increase in the following groups (higher progestogen concentrations in O.Cs plus vit. D2 treated group, at low-dose O.C plus vit. D2 treated group, at higher estrogen dose within O.C plus vit. D2 treated group, vit. D2 treated,and at low-dose O.C treated group). Serum triglycerides recorded significant increase in group treated with higher estrogen dose within O.C plus vit. D2 treated group, low-dose O.C plus vit. D2 treated group , higher progestogen concentrations in O.Cs plus vit. D2 treated group, vit. D2 treated group,and at low-dose O.C treated group respectively. Serum total cholesterol increased significantly in higher progestogen concentrations in O.Cs plus vit. D2 treated group, at low-dose O.C plus vit. D2 treated group, vit. D2 treated group, low-dose O.C treated group and at higher estrogen dose within O.C plus vit. D2 treated group at 8 weeks in comparison with control. Histopathological studies of livers showed severe at the higher progestogen concentration in O.C plus vit. D2 treated group and at low dose O.C plus vit. D2 treated group .Liver displayed moderate degenerative changes in higher estrogen dose within O.C plus vit. D2 treated group, in vit. D2 treated group and in low dose O.C treated group. Media calcinosis in aorta was more obvious at the higher progestogen concentrations in O.Cs plus vit. D2 treated group. Also it develops at low dose O.C treated group. In conclusion atherosclerosis may develop at low dose O.C due to progestogen content.