Oral Contraceptives and Copper Metabolism

Effects of Norethisterone Acetate Released from a Silastic Implant on Serum Copper and Zinc Levels in Women

“…Although these results may have to be considered with caution because of the small pop-385 ulation size, they confirm the earlier report that NETA (0.3mg daily for 4 months in 6 normal healthy young women), [8] d-norgestrel (lmg daily for 3 to 4 weeks in 10 normal young women),19J and a single intravenous injection of NET enanthate 1 mg in 3 women I 4] had no effect on serum copper levels compared with EE (10, 20 and SOllg daily for 3 to 4 weeks in 10 young women l9J ) and Minovlar (EE O.OSmg + NETA lmg daily for 3 to 4 months[81) administration which had a significant effect on serum copper concentrations. Although these results may have to be considered with caution because of the small pop-385 ulation size, they confirm the earlier report that NETA (0.3mg daily for 4 months in 6 normal healthy young women), [8] d-norgestrel (lmg daily for 3 to 4 weeks in 10 normal young women),19J and a single intravenous injection of NET enanthate 1 mg in 3 women I 4] had no effect on serum copper levels compared with EE (10, 20 and SOllg daily for 3 to 4 weeks in 10 young women l9J ) and Minovlar (EE O.OSmg + NETA lmg daily for 3 to 4 months[81) administration which had a significant effect on serum copper concentrations.…”

Medullary Carcinoma of Breast

“…As these findings are somewhat in contrast to previous studies by ourselves and 5 These results indicate that a combined oral contraceptive containing ethinyloestradiol 50 ,ug. and norethisterone acetate 1,000 pg.…”

Serum Transferrin and Ceruloplasmin Concentrations in Patients With Carcinoma, Melanoma, Sarcoma and Cancers of Haematopoietic Tissues

“…but in the absence of knowledge of the ftinttion of this protein no reason can presently be advanced for sucli increases. Oestrogens (Carruthers et al, 1966;Briggs et al, 1970) and testosterone (Scheinberg and Sternlieb, 1960) inerease sernm ceruloplasmin concentrations while ACTH administration decreases the raised plasma copper levels found in patients with leukaemia (Lahey et al, 1953). In the rat adrenaleetomy results in increased serum ceruloplasmin levels whieh may be rttiuiied to normal le\e!s by administnition of cortiiosterone (Evans and Wiederanders, 1967).…”

“…Increased serum concentrations of ceiuloplusmin have been reported in patients with eancer (Goodman and Vulpe, 1961;Goulian and Fahey, 1961;Motta et al, 1966), ehronic infections (Murkovvitz, Gubler, Mahoney, Gartwright and Wintrobe, 1955), rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis (Koskelo, Kekki, Virkkunen, Lassus and Somer, 1966), in pregnancy (Markowitz et al, 1955;O'Reilly and Loncin, 1967) and in women taking oestrogencontaining contraceptives (Garruthers, Hobbs, and Warren, 1966;Briggs, Austin and Staniford, 1970). Apart from small amounts of eopper loosely bound to albumin, .serum copper is predoiiiinaiitly due to tluU present in ceruloplasmin (Frohman et at., 1958;Markowitz et at., 1955;Garruthers et al, 1966;Briegs Austin and Staniford, 1970).…”

“…Apart from small amounts of eopper loosely bound to albumin, .serum copper is predoiiiinaiitly due to tluU present in ceruloplasmin (Frohman et at., 1958;Markowitz et at., 1955;Garruthers et al, 1966;Briegs Austin and Staniford, 1970). lncrea.sed serum copper concentrations have been demonstrated in leukaemia, Hodgkin's disease, infections, pernicious and iron deficiency anaemias and pregnancy (Markowitz et at., 1955;Briggs et al, 1970;Scheinberg and Stcrnlicb, 196();Lahey, Gubler, Gartwright and Wintrobe, 19. '>3), It is not apparent from the publislird data if serum transferrin and eeruloplasmin eoneentrations ar(-altered in patients with all types of cancer, nor has the significance of the changes in relation t(j stage <if the disease been investigated.…”