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Horm Metab Res 2008; 40(10): 692-696
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1073149
Humans, Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effects of the Progestagen-only Contraceptive Implant Implanon® on Transforming Growth Factor β1 and Endothelin-1

G. S. Merki-Feld 1 , B. Imthurn 1 , B. Seifert 2
  • 1Clinic for Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
  • 2Biostatistics Unit ISPM, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Further Information

Publication History

received 30.05.2007

accepted 16.01.2008

Publication Date:
21 May 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Progestagen-only contraceptives are often prescribed to women with an increased cardiovascular risk, despite the fact that only few data are available on the effect of these contraceptives on circulating biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial function. In our prospective case-control study, we aimed to investigate the influence of the low-dose etonogestrel-releasing contraceptive implant Implanon® on endothelin-1 and cytokine transforming growth factor β (TGF-β1), both factors involved in the early phases of atherogenesis. We also were interested in searching for an interrelation between changes in these two parameters and changes in female hormones and plasma lipids. Cases (n=20) were women using Implanon® for contraception, and controls (n=20) were females not using hormonal contraception. Baseline blood samples were taken during the early follicular phase of cycle 1 in both groups. A second sample was taken 12 weeks after Implanon® insertion or, for controls, in the early follicular phase of cycle 4. In both groups no significant change in endothelin-1 or TGF-β1 was observed. In Implanon® users, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, sex hormone-binding globulin, and testosterone decreased significantly. No correlations were found between endothelin-1 or TGF-β1 and the investigated parameters. The results suggest that Implanon® does not exert a clinically relevant negative effect on endothelin-1 or TGF-β.

Key words

Implanon® - endothelin-1 - transforming growth factor β - contraception - progestagen-only pill - cardiovascular risk - atherogenesis

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Correspondence

Dr. G.S. Merki-Feld

Clinic for Reproductive Endocrinology

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics

University Hospital

Frauenklinikstr. 10

8091 Zurich

Switzerland

Phone: +41/1/255 50 09

Fax: +41/1/255 43 76

Email: gabriele.merki@usz.ch

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