REDUCED SERUM CHOLECYSTOKININ AND INCREASE IN BODY-FAT DURING ORAL CONTRACEPTION

This investigation was undertaken to explore a possible role of the '' satiety peptide'' cholecystokinin and some other gastrointestinal horm ones for changes in appetite and weight during oral contraception. Ten young healthy women attending a youth health care center for contrace ptive counseling volunteered for the study. A standardized meal test w as used for recordings of appetite and gastrointestinal hormone respon se before and after 5 months of treatment with a monophasic combined o ral contraceptive. Body fat was calculated from measurements of skinfo ld thickness. Oral contraceptives caused a suppression of basal levels of serum cholecystokinin, which was correlated to an increase in body fat. Meal-related response of cholecystokinin and appetite were not a ffected. Serum levels of gastrin and insulin were also unchanged, wher eas triglycerides and postprandial glucose levels were elevated. The r esults suggest a role of cholecystokinin in regulation of body composi tion. Cholecystokinin stimulates the release of insulin and stimulates lipolysis in adipose tissue. Reduced cholecystokinin levels may, ther efore, be related to mild impairment of glucose tolerance and promote body fat storage during oral contraception.