Effects of High Dose Progestin on Serum Lipids and Lipid Metabolizing Enzymes in Patients with Endometrial Cancer

Summary

The effect of high dose medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) on serum lipids, on adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and serum lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase activities were studied in 15 postmenopausal patients with endometrial cancer. After 2 weeks of MPA treatment total cholesterol decreased by 14% (P < 0.001) and HDL cholesterol by 33% (P < 0.01) from the respective pretreatment values; correspondingly the ratio of HDL to total cholesterol decreased (P < 0.05). The decrease of HDL₂ cholesterol was 35% (P< 0.01) and that of HDL₃ cholesterol 15% (P < 0.01). The levels of serum triglycerides decreased significantly (P < 0.05) during the treatment period. Serum LCAT activity was significantly lower (P < 0.05) after treatment than before, but adipose tissue LPL activity was not altered. The mean serum testosterone level decreased significantly (P < 0.001) from the pretreatment values. Significant positive correlations were present between LPL activity and MPA concentrations and between LPL activity and testosterone concentrations after the drug treatment.

Key-Words:

Progestin - Serum Lipids - Lipid Metabolizing Enzymes