October 1, 1971The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Effects of Oral Contraceptive Therapy on the Renin-Angiotensin System
Why the study?
Does estrogen-progestogen oral contraceptive therapy alter the renin-angiotensin system?
Population
Individuals receiving estrogen-progestogen oral contraceptive preparations
Comparison
Estrogen-progestogen oral contraceptive… vs Normal values / control values
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
3 months
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
OC use linked to RAS activation; leaves open whether this predisposes susceptible women to hypertension.
Key Points
- To assess the effects of estrogen-progestogen oral contraceptive therapy on circulating angiotensin II and regulatory components of the renin-angiotensin system.
- Measured circulating angiotensin II levels using radioimmunoassay before, during, and after estrogen-progestogen oral contraceptive therapy.
- Assessed plasma renin activity, renin substrate, and plasma renin concentration within five days of treatment initiation, throughout three months of therapy, and following cessation.
- Blood angiotensin II levels rose to three times normal values within five days of initiating therapy, remained elevated for three months, and normalized after treatment cessation.
- Plasma renin activity and renin substrate exhibited parallel increases that significantly correlated with circulating angiotensin II levels.
- Plasma renin concentration decreased significantly to approximately 50% of control values, demonstrating a significant inverse correlation with blood angiotensin II levels.
Structured PICO
Does estrogen-progestogen oral contraceptive therapy alter the renin-angiotensin system?
P
Population
Individuals receiving estrogen-progestogen oral contraceptive preparations
I
Intervention
Estrogen-progestogen oral contraceptive preparations for 3 months
C
Comparator
Normal values / control values (baseline or off-treatment)
O
Outcome
Blood levels of angiotensin IIsurrogate
Estrogen-progestogen oral contraceptives markedly activate the renin-angiotensin system, which may predispose susceptible individuals to hypertension.
Cite This Study
Cain et al. (1971) studied this question.