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Comparison of Postprandial Lipemia between Women who are on Oral Contraceptive Methods and Those who are not

Abstracts

Background:

Postprandial Lipemia (PPL) is a physiological process that reflects the ability of the body to metabolize lipids. Even though the influence of oral contraceptives (OC) on PPL is not known, it is a known fact that their use increases fasting lipid values.

Objective:

To compare the PPL between women who are on OC and those who are not.

Methods:

A prospective analytical study which assessed eutrophic women, aged between 18 and 28 years old, who were irregularly active and with fasting triglycerides ≤150 mg/dL. They were divided into two groups: oral contraceptive group (COG) and non-oral contraceptive group (NCOG). Volunteers were submitted to the PPL test, in which blood samples were collected in time 0 (12-hour fasting) and after the intake of lipids in times 180 and 240 minutes. In order to compare the triglyceride deltas, which reflect PPL, the two-tailed Mann-Whitney test was used for independent samples between fasting collections and 180 minutes (Δ1) and between fasting and 240 minutes (Δ2).

Results:

Forty women were assessed and equally divided between groups. In the fasting lipid profile, it was observed that HDL did not present significant differences and that triglycerides in COG were twice as high in comparison to NCOG. Medians of Δ1 and Δ2 presented significant differences in both comparisons (p ≤0.05).

Conclusion:

The results point out that women who are irregularly active and use OC present more PPL in relation to those who do not use OC, which suggests that in this population, its chronic use increases the risk of heart conditions.

Contraceptives, Oral; Women; Metabolism; Insulin; Triglycerides; Cholesterol


Fundamento:

Lipemia pós-prandial (LPP) é um processo fisiológico que reflete a capacidade do organismo de metabolizar lipídeos. Embora não seja conhecida a influência dos contraceptivos orais (CO) na LPP, sabe-se que o seu uso eleva os valores lipídicos de jejum.

Objetivo:

Comparar LPP entre mulheres que utilizam e não utilizam CO.

Métodos:

Estudo analítico prospectivo, no qual foram avaliadas mulheres eutróficas, com idade entre 18 e 28 anos, irregularmente ativas e com triglicerídeos de jejum ≤150 mg/dL divididas em dois grupos: grupo contraceptivo (GCO) e grupo sem contraceptivo (GSCO). As voluntárias foram submetidas ao teste de LPP, no qual amostras sanguíneas foram coletadas no tempo 0 (jejum de 12 h) e após ingestão de lipídios nos tempos 180 e 240 minutos. Para comparação dos deltas dos triglicerídeos, que refletem a LPP, entre as coletas de jejum e 180 min (Δ1) e jejum e 240 min (Δ2), foi utilizado o teste de Mann-Whitney bidirecional para amostras independentes.

Resultados:

Foram avaliadas 40 mulheres divididas igualmente entre os grupos. No perfil lipídico de jejum, observou-se que a HDL não apresentou diferença significativa e que os triglicerídeos do GCO foram o dobro do GSCO. As medianas de Δ1 e Δ2 apresentaram diferença significativa nas duas comparações (p ≤0,05).

Conclusão:

Os resultados apontam que mulheres irregularmente ativas que utilizam CO apresentam LPP maior que aquelas que não utilizam CO, sugerindo que nessa população seu uso crônico aumenta o risco de doenças cardiovasculares.

Anticoncepcionais Orais; Mulheres; Metabolismo; Insulina; Triglicérides; Colesterol


Introduction

Postprandial lipemia (PPL) is a physiological process defined as the increased plasma triglyceride and esterified lipoprotein concentration after the intake of fats11. Petto J, Batista AKMS, Oliveira CS, Ladeia AMT. Efeito agudo do exercício físico na lipemia pós-prandial: revisão. Rev Bras Fisiologia Exercício. 2012;11:111-4.. It reflects the ability of the body to metabolize lipids, being also known as postprandial clearance. In healthy adults, its peak is reached in the third or fourth hour after the intake of fats, and its cycle is completed between the sixth and the eighth hour22. Petto J, Pereira JA, Britto RP, Sá CK, Souza LA, Ladeia AM. Efeito agudo imediato de uma sessão de exercício físico sobre a lipemia pós-prandial em jovens irregularmente ativos. Rev Bras Cardiol. 2013;26(2):100-5. , 33. Lima JG, Nóbrega ML, Bandeira F, Sousa AG. Dislipidemia pós-prandial como achado precoce em indivíduos com baixo risco cardiovascular. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2002; 46(3): 249-254..

It began to be studied in the 1950s, however, it was first described in 1979, by Zilversmit, who reported the existence of a strong connection between PPL and the atherosclerotic process44. Zilversmit DB. Atherogenesis: a postprandial phenomenon. Circulation. 1979;60(3):473-85.. Currently, this relationship is well established, and the atherosclerotic disease is defined as a postprandial event55. Santos SC, Canashiro JA, Gebara OC, Aldrighi GJ, Vieira N, Nussbacher A, et al. Efeitos agudos dos estrogênios associados a progestogênios sobre a trigliceridemia e reatividade vascular pós-prandial. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2004;83(5):385-90. , 66. Alipour A, Elite JW, Van Zaanen HC, Rietveld AP, Cabezas MC. Postprandial inflammation and endothelial dysfuction. Biochem Soc Trans. 2007;35(Pt 3):466-9..

The magnitude and the amplitude of PPL are multifactorial, usually being prolonged for men77. Roche HM, Gibney MJ. Effect of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on fasting and postprandial triacylglycerol metabolism. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;71(1 Suppl):232S-7S., showing increasing tendency with age88. Issa J, Diament J, Forti N. Lipemia pós-prandial: influência do envelhecimento. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2007;85(1):15-9., in carbohydrate-rich diets99. Harrison M, O'Gorman DJ, McCaffrey N, Hamilton MT, Zderic TW, Carson BP, et al. Influence of acut exercise with and whithout carbohydrate replacement on postprandial lipid metabolism. J Appl Phisiol (1985). 2009;106(3):943-9., among smokers1010. Axelsen M, Eliasson B, Joheim E, Lenner RA, Taskinen MR, Smith U. Lipid intolerance in smokers. J Intern Med. 1995;237(5):449-55. and obese people1111. Couillard C, Bergeron N, Prud'homme D, Bergon J, Tremblay A, Boachard C, et al. Postprandial triglyceride response in visceral obesity in men. Diabetes. 1988;47(6):953-60.. It is less common in physically active individuals1212. Herd SL, Lawrence JE, Malkova D, Murphy MH, Mastana S, Hardman AE. Postprandial lipemia in young men and woman of contrasting training status. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2000;89(5):2049-56. and more present among diabetic1313. Signori LU, Plentz RD, Irigoyen MC, Schaan BD. O papel da lipemia pós-prandial na gênese da aterosclerose: particularidades do diabetes melittus. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metabol. 2007;51(2):222-31. , 14 14. Enkhmaa B, Ozturk Z, Anuurad E, Berglund L. Postprandial lipoproteins and cardiovascular disease risk in diabetes mellitus. Curr Diab Rep. 2010;10(1):61-9.and dyslipidemic patients1515. Van Oostrom AJ, Alipour A, Plokker TW, Sniderman AD, Cabezas CM. The metabolic syndrome in relation to complement component 3 and postprandial lipemia in patients from an outpatient lipid clinic and healthy volunteers. Atherosclerosis. 2007;190(1):167-73..

Even though up until now the influence of oral contraceptives (OC) on PPL is not known, some studies1616. Santos MC, Rebelo AC, Zuttin RS, César MC, Catai AM, Silva E. Influência do uso de contraceptivos orais nos níveis lipídicos e nas respostas cardiorrespiratórias de mulheres saudáveis e sedentárias. Rev Bras Fisioter. 2008;12(3):188-94.

17. Coelho VG, Caetano LF, Liberatore Junior Rdel R, Cordeiro JA, Souza DR. Perfil lipídico e fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares em estudantes de medicina. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2005;85(1):57-62.

18. Virdis A, Pinto S, Versari D, Salvetti G, Bernini G, Fruzzetti F, et al. Effect of oral contraceptives on endothelial function in the peripheral microcirculation of healthy women. J Hypertens. 2003;21(12):2275-80.

19. Gaspard U, Endrikat J, Desager JP, Buicu C, Gerlinger C, Heithecker R. A randomized study on the influence of oral contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol combined with drospirenone or desogestrel on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism over a period of 13 cycles. Contraception. 2004;69(4):271-8.

20. Machado RB, Fabrini P, Cruz AM, Maia E, da Cunha Bastos A. Clinical and metabolic aspects of the continuous use of a contraceptive association of ethinyl estradiol (30 microg) and gestodene (75 microg). Contraception. 2004;70(5):365-70.
- 2121. Wiegratz I, Stahlberg S, Manthey T, Sanger N, Mittmann K, Palombo-Kinne E, et al. Effects of an oral contraceptive containing 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg dienogest on lipid metabolism during 1 year of conventional or extended-cycle use. Contraception. 2010;81(1):57-61.show that its use causes triglycerides to increase, as well as total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein, even at low-doses1717. Coelho VG, Caetano LF, Liberatore Junior Rdel R, Cordeiro JA, Souza DR. Perfil lipídico e fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares em estudantes de medicina. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2005;85(1):57-62.. Therefore, this study aimed at comparing PPL of women who use OC and those who do not use it.

Methods

A prospective analytical study which assessed eutrophic women aged from 18 to 28 years old, classified as being irregularly active by the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire2222. Matsudo S, Araújo T, Matsudo V, Andrade D, Andrade E, Oliveira LC, et al. Questionário internacional de atividade física (IPAQ): estudo de validade e reprodutibilidade no Brasil. Atividade Física & Saúde. 2001;6(2):5-18., with fasting triglycerides ≤ 150 mg/dL.

Diabetic women, those who are dyslipidemic on drug treatment, with renal disease, with diagnosed hypo/hyperthyroidism, history of drunkenness or smoking, in a hypo/hypercaloric diet and on corticosteroids, diuretics or beta blockers were excluded. Sample calculation was conducted by considering alpha = 0.05 (bidirectional) and beta = 0.80, adopting a significant difference of 20% for PPL between groups. Considering that the coefficient of variation of the triglyceride dose in the laboratory is 5%, and that a difference four times higher than the expected one invalidates this analytical coefficient of variation, 36 volunteers were necessary, that is, 18 volunteers in each group. Sample calculation was performed with GraphPad StatMate 2.0 for Windows.

The sample was composed in accordance with the pre-established criteria, being divided into two groups: oral contraceptive group (COG), formed by volunteers who had been on low-dose estradiol OC (15-30 mcg) for at least one year, and the non-oral contraceptive group (NCOG), composed by women who had not been on any type of hormone-based contraceptives for at least six months.

Data collection

The selected volunteers answered a standard questionnaire and were submitted to physical examinations, both aiming at collecting general information about the sample characteristics. The physical examination was comprised of measurements of heart rate and blood pressure at rest, as well as total body mass, height and waist circumference.

A pulse heart meter from Polar was used to measure heart rate. Blood pressure measurement was in accordance with the guidelines of the Brazilian Society of Hypertension2323. Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia, Sociedade Brasileira de Hipertensão, Sociedade Brasileira de Nefrologia. VI Diretrizes brasileiras de hipertensão. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2010;95(1 supl. 1):1-51. Erratum in: Arq Bras Cardiol. 2010;95(4):553., and the instrument used was a tensiometer for mid-sized adult, calibrated by the National Institute of Metrology, Standardization and Industrial Quality (Inmetro), and a duo-sonic stethoscope, both from BD.

Height was measured by a Sanny professional stadiometer, 0.1 cm accuracy. Participants were barefoot, with gluteus and shoulders leaning on a vertical support. Total body mass was measured by a digital Filizola scale, with maximum capacity of 150 kg, verified by Inmetro, certified to establish the margin of error of ±100 g.

Waist circumference was obtained by a metallic and non-elastic measuring tape from Starrett, with measurement definition of 0.1 cm. The smallest curvature located between the last rib and the iliac crest was measured, without compressing the tissues2424. World Health Organization (WHO). Obesity: preventing and manging the global epidemic - report of a WHO consultation on obesity. Geneva; 2000..

Body mass index (BMI) was calculated with measurements of mass and height, according to Quetelet's equation: BMI = mass (kg)/height2 (m). The adopted cutoff points were the ones recommended by the IV Brazilian Guideline for Dyslipidemia and Atherosclerosis prevention, by the Department of Atherosclerosis of Brazilian Society of Cardiology2525. Sposito AC, Caramelli B, Fonseca FA, Bertolami MC, Afiune Neto A, Souza AD, et al.; Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia. IV Diretriz brasileira sobre dislipidemias e prevenção da aterosclerose. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2007;88(supl 1):1-18., that is, low weight (BMI <18.5), eutrophic (18.5 < BMI < 24.9), overweight (25 < BMI < 29.9) and obesity (BMI ≥30).

Postprandial lipemia test

All volunteers were submitted to a PPL test. After the cannulation of the antecubital vein, blood samples were collected to measure triglycerides in time 0 (12-hour fasting) and after the intake of a substance containing 25 g of fat and of a diet cereal bar, in times 180 and 240 minutes. Lipoprotein, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, glycemia and total cholesterol were measured only in the fasting period. All collections were performed by a trained professional in a laboratory adapted for this type of procedure.

The lipid compound was provided by Tecnovida and, from the 25 g of lipids, 15 g were monounsaturated, 8 g were poly-unsaturated and 2 g were saturated, which corresponds to 45% of the daily recommended intake of fats for a 2,000 kcal diet. The cereal bar had 0 g of carbohydrates, 1.2 g of proteins and 0.8 g of lipids. The bar was administered so that the intake of the lipid compound would be more palatable and so it would not cause gastric discomfort.

In the PPL test, volunteers were advised not to change their diet in the week of the test and not to practice any unusual physical effort, and also not to consume alcohol in the 24 hours prior to the test. The test was conducted between the fifth and the tenth day of the menstrual cycle, considering the lower hormone flows, and/or on the 28th day without medication (inactive phase), as recommended by Casazza et al2626. Casazza GA, Suh SH, Miller BF, Navazio FM, Brooks GA. Effects of oral contraceptives on peak exercise capacity. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2002;93(5):1698-702..

The values of triglycerides, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein were obtained by the enzymatic method. Values of low-density and very-low density lipoproteins were calculated by the Friedewald equation. Glutamic pyruvic transaminase was measured by the colorimetric method (Reitman-Frankel).

Ethical criteria

During the study, the guidelines concerning the research on human beings in the Declaration of Helsinki and in Resolution 196/96 of the National Health Council were observed. This study was submitted to and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Science and Technology School of Salvador (protocol 3390).

All of the participants received detailed information about the objectives of the study, as well as about the risks and benefits involved in the procedures. They signed the informed consent form.

Statistical analysis

In order to verify data distribution, the symmetry and the kurtosis tests were conducted, as well as Shapiro-Wilk. Deltas (Δ) that reflect PPL, that is, the variation of triglycerides between collection in the fasting period and at 180 min (Δ1) and 240 min (Δ2), did not present normal distribution, and were described as median and quartile interval. Therefore, in order to compare Δ1 and Δ2, the two-tailed Mann-Whitney test was used for independent samples.

The other variables and the peak points of PPL in 180 and 240 minutes presented normal distribution, being described as mean and standard-deviation. The two-tailed unpaired Student's t-test was applied to compare these variables.

All of the analyses were conducted with the statistical package BioEstat 5.0, with a 5% significance level.

Results

Forty-six women were assessed, out of whom six were excluded for presenting fasting triglycerides higher than 150 mg/dL; two of them were in NCOG and four were in COG, so there were forty women who were equally divided in both groups.

Table 1 presents the general data of the sample. It is possible to observe that groups were homogeneous, so there were no differences concerning age, BMI, waist circumference and glycemia. Out of the OC used by the volunteers, 100% had ethinyl estradiol; 50% had gestoden; 33.3%, levonorgestrel; 5.6%, chlormadinone acetate; 5.6%, drospirenone; and 5.6%, desogestrel.

Table 1
General characteristics of the studied groups

Table 2 presents the comparison of the fasting lipid profile between groups. It is possible to observe that only HDL had no significant differences. Fasting triglycerides in COG were approximately twice as high as those in the NCOG.

Table 2
Comparison of fasting lipid profile (mg/dL) of the studied groups

The values of mean and standard-deviation of triglycerides in times 180 and 240 minutes, respectively for NCOG and COG, were 85 ± 24.4 × 156 ± 41.1 and 82 ± 21.0 × 147 ± 36.5, which can be observed in Graphic 1, with significant difference between points (p = 0.0001). As with fasting, the difference between mean values of triglycerides in collection points was approximately 100% higher in COG. It is also possible to observe, in Graphic 1, that the amplitude of PPL was similar in both groups. The peak occurred in the third hour, and the plateau remained until the fourth hour.

Graph 1
Postprandial lipemia in the contraceptive group and in the non-contraceptive group.

The median and the quartile interval of deltas 1 and 2 are described in Table 3, in which is possible to observe a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) for both comparisons.

Table 3
Comparison of postprandial lipemia between NCOG and COG

Discussion

Even though it is not possible to establish an independent causality relation between the use of OC and PPL, based on the results of this study, it was verified that PPL is more present among women who are on OC in comparison to those who are not. This information is reinforced by the homogeneity of the sample, whose factors that interfere directly on PPL were minimized at the time of group formation. The limitation of homogeneity focuses on the lack of control concerning dietary habits and the social status of the studied women. The influence of regionalism is also discussed. Since all of the volunteers were from the same region, it was not possible to establish the influence of local culture on the found results, which would have been possible if women from other regions had been evaluated.

It is important to mention that millions of women in the world use OC2727. Burkman RT. Current perspectives on OCs. Dialogues in contraception. 2001. Summer,6(8):15-7., and new formulas have been developed in order to reduce its adverse effects, especially those related to lipid metabolism2828. Giribela CR, Rubira MC, Melo NR, Plentz RD, Angelis K, Moreno H, et al. Effect of a low-dose oral contraceptive on venous endothelial function in healthy young women: preliminary results. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2007;62(2):151-8.. In Brazil, the most prevalent contraceptive method until the age of 30 is the hormone pill2929. Vieira EM, Badiani R, Fabbro AL, Rodrigues Junior AL. Características do uso de métodos anticoncepcionais no estado de São Paulo. Rev Saúde Pública. 2001;36(3):263-70.. Even at low doses, the use of OC increases the values of total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins and fasting triglycerides among healthy women at reproductive age1616. Santos MC, Rebelo AC, Zuttin RS, César MC, Catai AM, Silva E. Influência do uso de contraceptivos orais nos níveis lipídicos e nas respostas cardiorrespiratórias de mulheres saudáveis e sedentárias. Rev Bras Fisioter. 2008;12(3):188-94.. The longer the time of use, the stronger its effect on lipid profile1717. Coelho VG, Caetano LF, Liberatore Junior Rdel R, Cordeiro JA, Souza DR. Perfil lipídico e fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares em estudantes de medicina. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2005;85(1):57-62. , 3030. Foulon T, Payen N, Laporte F, Bijaoui S, Dupont G, Roland F, et al. Effects of two low-dose oral contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol and either desogestrel or levonorgestrel on serium lipds and lipoproteins with particular regard to LDL size. Contraception. 2001;64(1):11-6.. Some studies report that three months are sufficient to cause changes in lipid metabolism2121. Wiegratz I, Stahlberg S, Manthey T, Sanger N, Mittmann K, Palombo-Kinne E, et al. Effects of an oral contraceptive containing 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg dienogest on lipid metabolism during 1 year of conventional or extended-cycle use. Contraception. 2010;81(1):57-61. , 2828. Giribela CR, Rubira MC, Melo NR, Plentz RD, Angelis K, Moreno H, et al. Effect of a low-dose oral contraceptive on venous endothelial function in healthy young women: preliminary results. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2007;62(2):151-8..

The mean time of OC use among the volunteers in this study was higher in comparison to other investigations1717. Coelho VG, Caetano LF, Liberatore Junior Rdel R, Cordeiro JA, Souza DR. Perfil lipídico e fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares em estudantes de medicina. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2005;85(1):57-62. , 1919. Gaspard U, Endrikat J, Desager JP, Buicu C, Gerlinger C, Heithecker R. A randomized study on the influence of oral contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol combined with drospirenone or desogestrel on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism over a period of 13 cycles. Contraception. 2004;69(4):271-8.

20. Machado RB, Fabrini P, Cruz AM, Maia E, da Cunha Bastos A. Clinical and metabolic aspects of the continuous use of a contraceptive association of ethinyl estradiol (30 microg) and gestodene (75 microg). Contraception. 2004;70(5):365-70.
- 2121. Wiegratz I, Stahlberg S, Manthey T, Sanger N, Mittmann K, Palombo-Kinne E, et al. Effects of an oral contraceptive containing 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg dienogest on lipid metabolism during 1 year of conventional or extended-cycle use. Contraception. 2010;81(1):57-61.. This possibly had reflections on the fasting lipid profile, which was higher in comparison to previous studies1919. Gaspard U, Endrikat J, Desager JP, Buicu C, Gerlinger C, Heithecker R. A randomized study on the influence of oral contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol combined with drospirenone or desogestrel on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism over a period of 13 cycles. Contraception. 2004;69(4):271-8.

20. Machado RB, Fabrini P, Cruz AM, Maia E, da Cunha Bastos A. Clinical and metabolic aspects of the continuous use of a contraceptive association of ethinyl estradiol (30 microg) and gestodene (75 microg). Contraception. 2004;70(5):365-70.
- 2121. Wiegratz I, Stahlberg S, Manthey T, Sanger N, Mittmann K, Palombo-Kinne E, et al. Effects of an oral contraceptive containing 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg dienogest on lipid metabolism during 1 year of conventional or extended-cycle use. Contraception. 2010;81(1):57-61.. The higher value of triglycerides can be one of the explanations for PPL to be more frequent in COG than in NCOG, once it is directly related to serum values of fasting triglycerides33. Lima JG, Nóbrega ML, Bandeira F, Sousa AG. Dislipidemia pós-prandial como achado precoce em indivíduos com baixo risco cardiovascular. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2002; 46(3): 249-254. , 3131. O'Meara NM, Lweis GF, Cabana VG, Iverius PH, Getz GS, Polonsky KS. Role of basal triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein in determination of postprandial lipid and lipoprotein responses. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1992;75(2):465-71..

The conventional modifiable risk factors for the atherosclerostic disease include smoking, dyslipidemia, diabetes, systemic arterial hypertension, obesity and sedentary lifestyle2525. Sposito AC, Caramelli B, Fonseca FA, Bertolami MC, Afiune Neto A, Souza AD, et al.; Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia. IV Diretriz brasileira sobre dislipidemias e prevenção da aterosclerose. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2007;88(supl 1):1-18.. Even though PPL is not considered to be a conventional risk factor, studies show that less than half of the cardiovascular events are associated with conventional factors3232. Oliveira GH, Farmer JA. Novos fatores de risco cardiovasculares. Rev SOCERJ. 2003;16(3):183-93.. Since the 1990s, PPL has stood out as the best predictor of cardiovascular risk3333. Lewis GF, O'Meara NM, Soltys PA, Blackman JD, Iverius PH, Druetzler AF, et al. Postprandial lipoprotein metabolism in normal and obese subjects: comparison after the vitamin A fat-loadging test. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1990;71(4):1041-50.

34. Mekki N, Christofilis MA, Charbonnier M, Atlan-Gepner C, Defoot C, Juhel C, et al. Influence of obesity and body fat distribution on postprandial lipemia and triglyceride- rich lipoproteins in adult women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999;84(1):184-91.

35. Patsch JR, Miesenböck G, Hopferwieser T, Mühlberger V, Knapp E, Dunn JK, et al. Relation of triglyceride metabolism and coronary artery disease: studies in the postprandial state. Arterioscler Thromb. 1992;12(11):1336-45.
- 3636. Bansal S, Buring JE, Rifai N, Mora S, Sacks FM, Ridker PM. Fasting compared with nonfasting triglycerides and risk of cardiovascular events in women. JAMA. 2007;298(3):309-16., once it is correlated to several factors that triggering factors for cardiovascular diseases, even in normotriglyceridemic individuals33. Lima JG, Nóbrega ML, Bandeira F, Sousa AG. Dislipidemia pós-prandial como achado precoce em indivíduos com baixo risco cardiovascular. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2002; 46(3): 249-254. , 2525. Sposito AC, Caramelli B, Fonseca FA, Bertolami MC, Afiune Neto A, Souza AD, et al.; Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia. IV Diretriz brasileira sobre dislipidemias e prevenção da aterosclerose. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2007;88(supl 1):1-18..

The decreasing lipid clearance leads to the increasing exposure of endothelial cells to esterified lipoproteins, and such an exposure causes changes in vascular reactivity associated with the progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. In the postprandial state, the increasing elevation of triglycerides can cause not only endothelial dysfunction, but also the lower availability of nitric oxide and the increasing oxidative stress, and such changes are strongly involved in the genesis of atherosclerosis1313. Signori LU, Plentz RD, Irigoyen MC, Schaan BD. O papel da lipemia pós-prandial na gênese da aterosclerose: particularidades do diabetes melittus. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metabol. 2007;51(2):222-31..

In this study, even though the amplitude of PLL in both groups is similar (Graph 1), the highest value of PPL in COG (Table 3) suggests that, chronically, these women have a potentially more atherogenic postprandial lipid curve, and, consequently, they present with higher risks of developing cardiovascular diseases. To strengthen this idea, it is observed that even though both groups present triglyceride values within normality levels, COG presented higher values of fasting lipid profile (Table 2) and peak PPL (Graph 1) in comparison to NCOG.

In this context, the meta-analysis conducted by Hokanson and Austin in 1996 showed that the magnitude of PPL in women is associated with an increase of 76% in the risk of developing a coronary disease, while among men this risk was of 32%3737. Hokason JE, Austin MA. Plasma triglyceride level is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease independent of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level: a meta-analysis of population-based prospective studies. J Cardiovasc Risk. 1996;3(2):213-9.. Some studies point out that approximately 40% of individuals with premature coronary artery disease present with normal fasting lipid profile, but with delayed clearance during PPL3535. Patsch JR, Miesenböck G, Hopferwieser T, Mühlberger V, Knapp E, Dunn JK, et al. Relation of triglyceride metabolism and coronary artery disease: studies in the postprandial state. Arterioscler Thromb. 1992;12(11):1336-45. , 3838. Genest JJ, McNamara JR, Salem DN, Schafer EJ. Prevalence of risk factors in men with premature coronary artery disease. Am J Cardiol. 1991;67(15):1185-9..

Also based on the results of this study, it is plausible to infer that women in COG are more prone to forming arterial and venous thrombi. OC and the increased PPL, independently, increase the activation of the blood-coagulation factor VII and inhibit the action of plasminogen, and these factors are proven to favor the formation of venous and arterial thrombi2828. Giribela CR, Rubira MC, Melo NR, Plentz RD, Angelis K, Moreno H, et al. Effect of a low-dose oral contraceptive on venous endothelial function in healthy young women: preliminary results. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2007;62(2):151-8. , 3939. Roche HM, Gibney MJ. The impact of postprandial lipemia in accelerating atherothombosis. J Cardiovasc Risk. 2000;7(5):317-24..

Facing the exposed, it is recommended to assess the risks and benefits related to the prescription of this contraceptive method, as well as to conduct a strict clinical follow-up, especially concerning cardiovascular risks in this population. In order for the results in this study to be elucidated, some prospective cohort studies that measure the clinical outcomes and other variables of inflammatory response should be conducted.

Conclusion

Results indicate that, among young, healthy and physically inactive women, PPL is more present for those who are on oral contraceptives than for those who are not, which suggests that, in this population, the chronic use of oral contraceptives, even at low dosages, increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

  • Author contributions
    Conception and design of the research: Petto J, Ladeia AMT; Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of the data and Writing of the manuscript: Petto J, Vasques LMR, Pinheiro RL, Giesta BA, Santos ACN, Gomes Neto M, Ladeia AMT; Statistical analysis and Critical revision of the manuscript for intellectual content: Petto J, Gomes Neto M, Ladeia AMT.
  • Sources of Funding
    This study was funded by FAPESB by awarding a PhD scholarship to Jefferson Petto.
  • Study Association
    This article is part of the thesis of Doctorate submitted by Jefferson Petto from Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública.

Acknowledgements

To the Laboratory of Clinical Pathology of Salvador (BA), where all blood samples were collected for this study.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    13 June 2014
  • Date of issue
    Sept 2014

History

  • Received
    02 Feb 2014
  • Reviewed
    03 July 2014
  • Accepted
    17 Mar 2014
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