A comparison of the effects of NORPLANT capsules and NORPLANT-2 rods on clinical chemistry: metabolic changes
Singh, K.; Viegas, O.A.; Ratnam, S.S.
Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore 19(6): 833-836
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0304-4602 PMID: 2130749 Document Number: 315212
Medical researchers enrolled 100 women who use the NORPLANT 6 capsule system and 100 women who used the NORPLANT 2 rod system in a clinical trial at the National University Hospital in Singapore to compare the 2 implants' effects on clinical chemistry. The mean bilirubin levels increased 55% during the 1st year for both groups. These levels fell a mere 4.5% in the NORPLANT-2 group. Still, at the end of 2 years, the mean bilirubin levels of both groups were significantly higher than preinsertion levels. Total proteins and globulins fell significantly in both groups during the 2 year study. The mean albumin level rose significantly in the NORPLANT-2 women and the slight risk in NORPLANT-6 women was not significant. Even though these changes in liver function occurred, the mean levels of bilirubin, total protein, globulin, and albumin stayed within the normal clinical range. Further no individual had levels outside the normal range. NORPLANT-6 and NORPLANT-2 had basically similar effects on lipid metabolism. The high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio was .200 for both groups indicating that the 2 NORPLANT systems did not put women at increased risk of coronary heart disease. In addition, the low density lipoprotein cholesterol/HDL ratio for both groups did not rise higher that the preinsertion level. These results indicated that the 2 systems may actually have a protective effect against cardiovascular conditions in the 1st 2 years. Neither NORPLANT-6 nor NORPLANT-2 significantly changed carbohydrate metabolism. At the end of 1 hour, however, the glucose tolerance levels significantly increased, but fell considerably at 2 hours. In fact, absolute glucose tolerance levels stayed in the normal range. In conclusion, the 2 systems acted essentially the same.