RESULTS: Significant increases were found in the plasma MDA level, and activities of GPx and GR in plasma were decreased in Group B compared to the control group. Supplementation with vitamin C and E significantly increased the activity of GPx and GR activity, and reduced plasma MDA levels in Group C (p<.05).

CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that low-dose OCs, by enhancing the stress oxidative and lipid peroxidation, may represent a potential cardiovascular risk factor, and the use of vitamins E and C may be beneficial in ameliorating this side effect of OCs.

Zal F, Mostafavi-Pour Z, Amini F, Heidari A.

Source: Reproductive Biology Group, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.