THE IMPACT OF D-TRP(6) LH-RH ON PLASMA-LIPID LEVELS

Background: There is increasing evidence regarding the correlation bet ween the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and low levels of H DL-cholesterol or high plasma concentrations of LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GhRH) analogues are widely used in assisted reproduction programs. Therefor e, it seems important to evaluate possible changes in serum lipoprotei n levels following treatment with these compounds. Purpose: Our purpos e was to assess possible lipoprotein changes following administration of the long-acting GnRH analogue, D-Trp(6) luteinizing hormone-releasi ng hormone (LH-RH). Design: Serum levels of cholesterol, HDL-cholester ol LDL-cholesterol, and triglicerydes were determined before and after 6 weeks of treatment. Results: No significant changes in either chole sterol or HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, or triglicerydes following treatment with D-Trp(6) LH-RH were demonstrated in the group of 25 pa tients investigated. Conclusions: Short-term use of D-Trp(6) LH-RH is not associated with any significant change in plasma lipid levels. Fur ther studies are still required with patients undergoing repeated trea tment cycles, especially those who exhibit elevated pretreatment plasm a lipid levels, to confirm the ling-term safety of GnRH analogues with respect to lipid metabolism.