Oxidative Stress and Hepatotoxic Effects of Levonorgestrel Treatment in Female Wistar Rats
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Date
2018-10
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Publisher
Society for Experimental Biology of Nigeria
Abstract
Oral Levonorgestrel (LNG) is an emergency contraceptive pills, used in the prevention of unwanted pregnancy
and it is effective when taken within first 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse. In order to evaluate its
toxicological potential, female Wistar rats (140 ± 20 g; n=15) were exposed to LNG at varying doses (0.004 mg/kg
b.w) once per week, (0.004 mg/kg b.w) or (0.008 mg/kg b.w) 3 times a week at 48 hours interval each for 6 weeks.
Control rats (n=5) were exposed to 0.2 ml/kg b.w physiological saline three times per week at 48 hours intervals
for the same period. Blood and tissue supernatants were collected for biochemical assays. The result showed
significant (p<0.05) increase in cardiac phospholipids concentration in a dose-dependent manner but at variance
in the kidney. Meanwhile, MDA concentration was at variance with no significant different along with reduced
GSH values. Serum ALT was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased with LNG 0.004 mg/kg/week when compared
with control; however, ALT and AST activities were significantly (p < 0.05) amplified in LNG 0.004
mg/kg/3ce/week and LNG 0.008 mg/kg/3ce/week when compared with LNG 0.004 mg/kg/week. Serum total
cholesterol significantly increased with LNG 0.004 mg/kg /week when compared with control while serum
triglyceride significantly decreased with LNG 0.008 mg/kg/3ce/week when compared with LNG 0.004 mg/kg
/week. These findings indicate that LNG evoked cellular injury without significant peroxidation. It exhibited some
metabolic changes with adverse effect. Therefore, its availability should be restricted by prescription and
administer as prescribed.
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Citation
Levonorgestrel, Emergency contraception, Oxidative stress, Hepatotoxicity, Lipid