Oral contraceptive use and vitamin nutrition status of malnourished women-effects of continuous and intermittent vitamin supplements
Bamji, M.S.; Prema, K.; Rama Lakshmi, B.A.; Ahmed, F.; Jacob, C.M.
Journal of Steroid Biochemistry 11(1b): 487-491
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-4731 PMID: 491621 DOI: 10.1016/0022-4731(79)90072-4Document Number: 442988
Indian women from a low income group who had used oral contraceptives containing either 30 or 50 μg ethynyl oestradiol and 0.15 mg d-norgestrel for 12 cycles, had significantly elevated urinary excretion of xanthurenic acid after a tryptophan load. A third of the women had pyridoxine deficiency as judged by the erythrocyte asparate aminotransferase (EAsp AT) test and the majority of women showed riboflavin deficiency as judged by the erythrocyte glutathione reductase (EGR) test. Administration of multivitamins containing 2 mg riboflavin and 10 mg pyridoxine daily, or twice the dose for only the 7 "non hormone" days in the cycle, corrected the abnormality in tryptophan metabolism. Enzymatic tests showed an improvement with regard to coenzyme saturation, but a number of women continued to be in the deficient range even after 6 months of supplements. This was partly due to increase in apoenzymes Egr and EAsp AT. Several women developed glossitis despite the vitamin supplements. The usefulness of routine schedules of vitamin supplements to women using oral contraceptives remains equivocal.