Serum copper level and ceruloplasmin activity were measured in 104 middle class Iranian women from 17 to 49 years of age, using combined oral contraceptives from 3 to 108 months, and results were compared with those obtained from 24 normal individuals (21-45 years of age) from the same social class. Significant increases were observed in 100% of test subjects in serum copper level and ceruloplasmin activity (p less than 0.005), which tend to decline following 48 months of intake, when liver probably adapts itself, and ceruloplasmin synthesis is not aggravated significantly any more. The variations observed in this study were higher than those obtained in Nigerian women and were comparable with those found in women from other countries.
PIP: Blood samples of 104 Iranian women aged 17 to 49 years of age were collected during the 2nd half of their menstrual cycle. Serum copper level and ceruloplasmin activity were measured using COC 1 (mestranol 0.15 mg, lynestrol 2.5 mg) for 3 to 108 months. Results were compared with those from 27 normal individuals aged 21 to 45 years of age from the same social class who had never taken OCs (oral contraceptives). All test subjects (100%) exhibited significant increases in serum copper level and ceruloplasmin activity (p 0.005); the increase was equivalent to 11-175% of mean controls (p 0.005). The increase in activity of ceruloplasmin was said to be aggravated by cholestasis and the liver undergoing a physiological stress. After 48 months of OC intake, the observed increases appeared to decline, probably because the liver has adjusted to the physiological stress caused by COC intake. The variations in this study were higher than those obtained in Nigerian women and comparable to those of other countries.