Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two different oral contraceptives (OCs) on homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism in 20 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Methods: Women were randomly allocated to receive either the biphasic OC containing 40/30 mug ethynylestradiol (EE)+25/125 mug desogestrel (DSG; n=10) or the monophasic OC containing 35 mug EE and 2 mg cyproterone acetate (CPA; n=10). Investigations were performed before and after 6 months of treatment. Fasting vitamin B(12), folate, Hcy and insulin sensitivity (SI), and glucose utilization independent of insulin (Sg), by the minimal model method, were evaluated.
Results: Folate and vitamin B(12) were not significantly modified by either OC. EE/DSG decreased SI (2.53+/-0.35 vs. 1.68+/-0.45; p<.05), without modifying Hcy (9.54+/-0.7 micromol/L vs. 9.18+/-0.6 micromol/L). EE/CPA improved SI (1.47+/-0.38 vs. 3.27+/-0.48; p<.04) and decreased Hcy (9.8+/-1.9 micromol/L vs. 7.9+/-0.9 micromol/L; p<.05). This study indicates that in women with PCOS, EE/CPA, but not EE/DSG, improves IS and decreases fasting Hcy.