Serum levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 are decreased in women receiving oral contraceptives compared with normally menstruating women: Implications in atherosclerosis

Souter, Irene; Janzen, Carla; Martinez-Maza, Otoniel; Breen, Elizabeth Crabb; Stanczyk, Frank; Chaudhuri, Gautam; Nathan, Lauren

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.11.048

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Volume 83, Issue 5 , Pages 1480-1488, May 2005

Serum levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 are decreased in women receiving oral contraceptives compared with normally menstruating women: Implications in atherosclerosis

Irene Souter, M.D.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
Carla Janzen, M.D.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
Otoniel Martinez-Maza, Ph.D.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
Elizabeth Crabb Breen, Ph.D.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
Frank Stanczyk, Ph.D.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Gautam Chaudhuri, M.D., Ph.D.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
Lauren Nathan, M.D.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Reprint requests: Lauren Nathan, M.D., Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California—Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90095 (Tel: 310 206 6675, FAX: 310-206-6531)

Received 28 May 2004; received in revised form 12 November 2004; accepted 12 November 2004.

Objective

The primary objective was to assess whether short-term changes in estradiol (E₂), such as those observed in the menstrual cycle, alter serum levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), and whether VCAM-1 expression is suppressed in long-term users of exogenous estrogens. The secondary objective was to assess the association, if any, between inflammatory cytokines and expression of sVCAM-1.

Design

Prospective collection of serum samples in healthy volunteers.

Setting

University hospital.

Patients(s)

Thirty-one normally menstruating women and 37 oral contraceptive (OC) users. Interventions included serum collection in the early follicular, late follicular, and midluteal phases of the menstrual cycle and once in oral contraceptive users.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Samples were assayed for sVCAM-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL)-6 by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). Estradiol (E₂) was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA).

Result(s)

Oral contraceptive users had significantly lower serum levels of sVCAM-1 compared with normally menstruating women. No significant change was noted in the mean values of sVCAM-1 throughout the menstrual cycle, despite the significant change in 17β-estradiol levels. Throughout the menstrual cycle, a significant correlation was noted between the serum levels of TNF-α and sVCAM-1. The serum levels of IL-6 correlated with those of sVCAM-1 in the late follicular and midluteal phase of the cycle. Similar correlations were observed in OC users.

Conclusion(s)

Long-term exposure to exogenous estrogens suppresses serum levels of sVCAM-1. Short-term changes in endogenous estrogens, as observed during the menstrual cycle, may not alter VCAM-1 expression; TNF-α and IL-6 may play a role in the regulation of VCAM-1 expression in vivo.

Key Words: Soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) , menstrual cycle , oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) , inflammatory cytokines , TNF-α , IL-6 , estrogen