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Effect of Oral Contraceptive Pills on the Blood Serum Enzymes and DNA Damage in Lymphocytes Among Users

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Abstract

The continuous use of synthetic hormones as contraceptive pill or hormonal replacement therapy among women is increasing day by day. The widespread use of different formulations as oral contraceptives by women throughout their reproductive cycle has given rise to a serious concern for studying the effects of oral contraceptives on enzymatic profile and DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes among users. The present study was carried out on women taking oral contraceptives. The study was based on the questionnaire having the information of reproductive history, fasting, age, health, nature of menstrual cycle, bleeding and other disease. The profile of the blood serum enzymes i.e. alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aminotransferases (SGOT and SGPT), serum proteins (albumin and globulin) and DNA damage in lymphocytes was studied among users and non-users. The results of the present study suggest that OCs not only effects enzymatic activity but also results in DNA damage that may vary with the duration of using oral contraceptives. A significant increase in LDH, GGT, SGPT, SGOT, globulin and decrease in ALP as well as albumin was found among users as compared to non-users. The observed DNA damage was more in users as compared to non-users. Hormonal contraceptives seem to exert DNA damage and also have significant effects on blood serum enzymes.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to University Grant Commission (UGC), New Delhi for the award of project entitled: “Biochemical and Cytogenetic effects of Oral Contraceptives among women of different reproductive histories” [F. No. 39-582/2010(SR)] to Dr. Yasir Hasan Siddique, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Genetics, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, 202002, India

    Falaq Naz, Smita Jyoti,  Rahul & Yasir Hasan Siddique

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, J.N. Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, 202002, India

    Nishat Akhtar

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  1. Falaq Naz
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Correspondence to Yasir Hasan Siddique.

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Naz, F., Jyoti, S., Rahul et al. Effect of Oral Contraceptive Pills on the Blood Serum Enzymes and DNA Damage in Lymphocytes Among Users. Ind J Clin Biochem 31, 294–301 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-015-0533-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-015-0533-x

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