Effects of Oral, Vaginal, and Transdermal Hormonal Contraception on Serum Levels of Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin E, and Total Antioxidant Activity

摘要

The use of the transdermal contraceptive patch is associated with greater bioavailability of ethinyl estradiol (EE) compared with contraceptive vaginal ring or oral contraceptives (OC). We compared the influences of three contraceptive methods (OC, vaginal ring, and transdermal patch) on serum levels of coenzymeQ10,α-tocopherol,γ-tocopherol and total antioxidant capacity in premenopausal women. Blood samples from 30 premenopausal women who used hormonal contraception for at least 4 months were collected. Forty subjects who did not use any contraception were studied as control. Serum levels of coenzymeQ10,α-tocopherol andγ-tocopherol were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Serum samples were also assayed for totalantioxidant capacity (TAOC). Serum levels of coenzymeQ10andα-tocopherol were found to be significantly lower (P<.05) in all three contraceptive users compared with controls. Contraceptive patch users had the lowest levels ofcoenzymeQ10levels compared with normal subjects. Serum TAOC levels were significantly lower (P<.05) among the contraceptive user groups. Alterations in coenzymeQ10andα-tocopherol induced by hormonal contraception and the potential effect(s) of exogenous ovarian hormones should be taken into consideration in future antioxidant research.