Progestagens, anabolic‐androgenic compounds, estrogens: Effects on triglycerides and postheraprin lipolytic enzymes

Abstract

Oral contraceptives, estrogens, progestagens and anabolic‐androgenic compounds have extensive effects on plasma triglycerides and on triglyceride clearing enzymes. This review will center on recent advances in the understanding of the mode of action of these compounds, both in normals and in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia.

The effect of estrogen on the lipoprotein lipase activity of rat adipose tissue.

“…The effect of sex hormones on lipoprotein lipase activity has been limited to the study of the enzyme present in postheparin plasma (4,5,10,11). These studies have been carried out mainly in the human (4,5,10,11).…”

“…These studies have been carried out mainly in the human (4,5,10,11). Postheparin lipolytic activity is a mixture of enzymes containing lipoprotein lipase of extrahepatic origin and triglyceride lipase of hepatic origin (12).…”

“…Disappearance of the lipemia just before parturition is directly related to a marked rise in mammary gland lipoprotein lipase activity. In addition to pregnancy, increased plasma triglyceride levels have been reported in women on mixed contraceptives (4,5); the lipemia seems to be caused by the estrogen component only (5).…”

Concentration of Lipid, apoprotein-B and testosterone in patients with coronarographic findings

“…A negative relationship, however, between triglyceride concentration and testosterone level in plasma has been established [10], as has the fact that an enhanced triglyceride level is accompanied with an enhanced apolipoprotein-B concentration in plasma [25,28]. Testosterone increased the activity of LPL [6,26]. As a result of a depressed LPL activity, a lowered testosterone concentration may induce a growth in the quantity of VLDL particles whose metabolism is directly dependent on its activity [4,25].…”

“…Within this frame of reference, lipoproteins have attracted attention as °' risk factors" in the process of the origin and progress of ischaemic heart diseases. Although sex hormones, estrogens and androgens are known to affect lipid Abbreviations: HDL=high density lipoprotein; HDL-Ch= high density lipoprotein-cholesterol; LDL=low density lipoprotein; LPL=lipoprotein lipase; VLDL=very low density lipoprotein metabolism [6,26], little attention has yet been devoted to the effect of these homones on apolipoproteins. It is only recently that several studies have appeared dealing with the influence of hormones (predominantly sex hormones) on apolipoproteins [13].…”