Oral contraceptives namely Microgynon a combined pill (0.15mg levonorgestrel and 0.03mg ethinylestradiol) and Primolut -N a mini pill (5mg norethisterone) were analysed for their in-vivo effects on albino rat plasma and erythrocyte aspartate amino transferase (AST). The in-vivo effects of the oral contraceptives on albino rat plasma and erythrocyte AST showed that the drugs inhibited the activity of the enzymes in a concentration dependent manner. The effect of the drugs on the enzymes were also time dependent with the highest inhibition obtained at 24 hours duration while the least inhibition occurred at 2 hours duration Microgynon showed the highest inhibition (7.00 ± 0.00 vs. control 31.00 ± 0.00 U/L) (P < 0.05) followed by Primolut (16.00 ± 0.00 vs. control 27.00 ± 4.00 U/L). The erythrocyte AST activity was also inhibited. The highest inhibition values obtained were Microgynon (36.00 ± 0.00 U/L) then Primolut (41.00 ± 0.00 U/L). The least inhibition values obtained were Microgynon and Primolut (67.00 ± 0.00). The in-vivo effects of the oral contraceptives on rat plasma and erythrocyte ALT showed that the drugs activated the activity of the enzymes in a concentration dependent manner. The effect of the drugs on the enzymes were also time dependent with the highest activation obtained at 24 hours duration while the least activation occurred at 2 hours duration. Primolut showed the highest activation (18.00 ± 0.00 U/L). The erythrocyte enzymes showed higher activity than the plasma enzymes. Microgynon showed the highest activity (50.00 ± 2.00 U/L). This result indicates that liver function tests are needed for women before using these drugs.
Keywords
Microgynon, Primolut –N
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