Effects of two low-dose oral contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol and either desogestrel or levonorgestrel on serum lipids and lipoproteins with particular regard to LDL size

This study was designed to determine the effects of two low-dose oral contr aceptives, most frequently given in our area, monophasic desogestrel/ethiny lestradiol (DG/EE) and triphasic levonorgestrel/ethinylestradiol (LNG/EE), on lipoprotein parameters, especially LDL particle size and HDL subclass di stribution (determined by lipid-stained 2%-20% polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis) in 37 healthy normolipidemic women aged 19 to 27 years. Li pid and lipoprotein parameters were measured before the start of treatment and in the third month of oral contraceptive use. Results reflected the est rogen-progestin balance. As compared with baseline values, with both formul ations, plasma total cholesterol, phospholipids, and HDL3 cholesterol incre ased, and LDL-predominant peak size decreased, with a translation of LDL pa ttern A towards pattern I. With DG/EE, plasma triglycerides, apolipoprotein s AI and B increased. With LNG/EE, LDL cholesterol increased, and HDL2 chol esterol decreased. All these modifications were moderate, within threshold limits. Estrogen-dominant monophasic DG/EE appears to be more favorable tha n progestin-dominant triphasic LNG/EE, since the reduction in LDL-predomina nt peak size is not associated with an increase in LDL cholesterol or with a decrease in HDL2 cholesterol. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights r eserved.