Estrogen-containing Oral Contraceptives Research Articles

Urinary excretion of quinolinic acid and other tryptophan metabolites after deoxypyridoxine or oral contraceptive administration

The urinary excretion of quinolinic acid and some other tryptophan metabolites has been determined after 2-g L-tryptophan load in a deoxypyridoxinetreated subject and in women receiving estrogen-containing oral contraceptives. In both situations there were increases in the excretion of quinolinic acid and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, as well as 3-hydroxykynurenine and xanthurenic acid. These changes were reversed by pyridoxine administration, and are considered to reflect an inhibitory effect of estrogens and deoxypyridoxine on vitamin B 6-dependent enzymes. Although the principal enzyme of the tryptophan-nicotinic acid ribonucleotide pathway affected by impaired pyridoxal phosphate function is kynureninase, the present results are consistent with the existence of an unidentified enzyme beyond the formation of 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid which requires the coenzyme.

Aspects of tryptophan metabolism in health and disease: a review.

Some of the more recent developments in the study of tryptophan metabolism are reviewed with the intent of demonstrating that abnormalities associated with abnormal tryptophan metabolism may result from the influence of hormonal and nutritional factors upon the metabolic pathway. It has been shown that pregnancy and treatment with estrogens or estrogen-containing oral contraceptives (OCs) all produce elevated urinary excretion of tryptophan metabolites; administration of pyridoxine will normalize urinary levels. The effect of estrogens upon tryptophan oxygenase appears to be indirect mediated via the adrenals. The clinical significance of changes following OC use is unknown but evidence of an occult Vitamin-B6 deficiency is being sought. It is possible that OC/tryptophan-associated depression results when a patient lacks a compensatory biochemical mechanism that normally counters any reduction in the level of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine. In any event it is important to exclude all patients receiving estrogens from studies which attempt to demonstrate an association between abnormal tryptophan metabolism and a specific disease.

Effect of estrogen-containing oral contraceptives on platelet and plasma ascorbic acid concentrations

Women taking oral contraceptives exhibited significantl lower platelet ascorbic acid levels than controls at two weeks after both groups had been placed on a low Vitamin C diet. Theoretically, this may alter the negative electrical potential of platelets, which could contribute to the increased incidence of thromboembolic disease.

Deep vein thrombosis

In this review of deep vein thrombosis including a brief section on postpartum venous thrombosis and the contributory effects of estrogen-containing oral contraceptives new investigatory methods particularly of early disease are discussed. These new methods allow a better correlation of clinical and pathological events which is essential if a rational management approach is to be found. 2 types of deep vein thrombosis are defined i.e. peripheral which in itself is seldom serious and iliofemoral involvement which can be and usually is complicated by acute and chronic morbidity. Lung scanning using iodine-131 macroaggregated albumen routine phlebography and routine iodine-125 fibrinogen scanning are suggested in early diagnosis of pulmonary infarction an important complication of deep vein thrombosis. Ultrasound is a further diagnostic procedure which may become a simple preliminary scanning device to indicate the need for iliofemoral phlebography. Postpartum venous thrombosis is often iliofemoral as is antepartum disease; the latter is more difficult to manage and often ends in pregnancy termination. Studies have established that high-estrogenic oral contraceptives produce a significant increase in venous thromboembolism incidences. From the clinicians viewpoint surgery for those taking an estrogen oral contraceptive presents a greater risk. It is not yet precisely known how the pill increases the risk of venous thrombosis or how soon aften stopping use of the pill the risk is eliminated. Consequently use of the pill is considered inadvisable. Anticoagulant regimes have not been satisfactorily proven effective in the treatment of thromboemobolism. Thrombolytic agents such as urokinase obtained from human urine and streptokinase have proven effective in venous thromboembolism therapy but it remains to be determined to what extent they will replace venous thrombectomy. Surgery seem to be the best method of treating venous thrombosis at present.

Deep vein thrombosis.

In this review of deep vein thrombosis including a brief section on postpartum venous thrombosis and the contributory effects of estrogen-containing oral contraceptives new investigatory methods particularly of early disease are discussed. These new methods allow a better correlation of clinical and pathological events which is essential if a rational management approach is to be found. 2 types of deep vein thrombosis are defined i.e. peripheral which in itself is seldom serious and iliofemoral involvement which can be and usually is complicated by acute and chronic morbidity. Lung scanning using iodine-131 macroaggregated albumen routine phlebography and routine iodine-125 fibrinogen scanning are suggested in early diagnosis of pulmonary infarction an important complication of deep vein thrombosis. Ultrasound is a further diagnostic procedure which may become a simple preliminary scanning device to indicate the need for iliofemoral phlebography. Postpartum venous thrombosis is often iliofemoral as is antepartum disease; the latter is more difficult to manage and often ends in pregnancy termination. Studies have established that high-estrogenic oral contraceptives produce a significant increase in venous thromboembolism incidences. From the clinicians viewpoint surgery for those taking an estrogen oral contraceptive presents a greater risk. It is not yet precisely known how the pill increases the risk of venous thrombosis or how soon aften stopping use of the pill the risk is eliminated. Consequently use of the pill is considered inadvisable. Anticoagulant regimes have not been satisfactorily proven effective in the treatment of thromboemobolism. Thrombolytic agents such as urokinase obtained from human urine and streptokinase have proven effective in venous thromboembolism therapy but it remains to be determined to what extent they will replace venous thrombectomy. Surgery seem to be the best method of treating venous thrombosis at present.

Deep vein thrombosis.

In this review of deep vein thrombosis including a brief section on postpartum venous thrombosis and the contributory effects of estrogen-containing oral contraceptives new investigatory methods particularly of early disease are discussed. These new methods allow a better correlation of clinical and pathological events which is essential if a rational management approach is to be found. 2 types of deep vein thrombosis are defined i.e. peripheral which in itself is seldom serious and iliofemoral involvement which can be and usually is complicated by acute and chronic morbidity. Lung scanning using iodine-131 macroaggregated albumen routine phlebography and routine iodine-125 fibrinogen scanning are suggested in early diagnosis of pulmonary infarction an important complication of deep vein thrombosis. Ultrasound is a further diagnostic procedure which may become a simple preliminary scanning device to indicate the need for iliofemoral phlebography. Postpartum venous thrombosis is often iliofemoral as is antepartum disease; the latter is more difficult to manage and often ends in pregnancy termination. Studies have established that high-estrogenic oral contraceptives produce a significant increase in venous thromboembolism incidences. From the clinicians viewpoint surgery for those taking an estrogen oral contraceptive presents a greater risk. It is not yet precisely known how the pill increases the risk of venous thrombosis or how soon aften stopping use of the pill the risk is eliminated. Consequently use of the pill is considered inadvisable. Anticoagulant regimes have not been satisfactorily proven effective in the treatment of thromboemobolism. Thrombolytic agents such as urokinase obtained from human urine and streptokinase have proven effective in venous thromboembolism therapy but it remains to be determined to what extent they will replace venous thrombectomy. Surgery seem to be the best method of treating venous thrombosis at present.

The effect of pyridoxine deficiency induced by desoxypyridoxine in human subjects upon the excretion of N 1-methylnicotinamide after tryptophan administration

The urinary excretion of quinolinic acid and some other tryptophan metabolites has been determined after 2-g L-tryptophan load in a deoxypyridoxinetreated subject and in women receiving estrogen-containing oral contraceptives. In both situations there were increases in the excretion of quinolinic acid and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, as well as 3-hydroxykynurenine and xanthurenic acid. These changes were reversed by pyridoxine administration, and are considered to reflect an inhibitory effect of estrogens and deoxypyridoxine on vitamin B6-dependent enzymes. Although the principal enzyme of the tryptophan-nicotinic acid ribonucleotide pathway affected by impaired pyridoxal phosphate function is kynureninase, the present results are consistent with the existence of an unidentified enzyme beyond the formation of 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid which requires the coenzyme.