Effect of Combined Oral Contraceptives on Bilirubin, Total Protein, Albumin, Aspartate Transaminase, Alanine Transaminase and Alkaline Phosphatase in Female Albino Rats

Arunsi; OM; Okogeri; E I; Kalu; NO

doi:10.56201/ijmepr.v9.no6.2025.pg37.48

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Effect of Combined Oral Contraceptives on Bilirubin, Total Protein, Albumin, Aspartate Transaminase, Alanine Transaminase and Alkaline Phosphatase in Female Albino Rats

Arunsi, OM, Okogeri, E I, Kalu, NO

Abstract

Oral contraceptives (OCs) are widely utilized for reproductive health management, yet concerns persist regarding their impact on liver function, particularly due to the hepatic metabolism of synthetic hormones such as estrogen and progestin. The liver is central to protein synthesis and bilirubin clearance, making it susceptible to functional alterations induced by exogenous hormone exposure. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral contraceptives on key liver function biomarkers total protein, albumin, conjugated (direct) bilirubin, and unconjugated (indirect) bilirubin, in female albino rats. Ethical approval was obtained from the Madonna University Ethical Committee on the use of experimental animals. A total 30 female Wistar albino rats were randomized into three groups (n = 10 each): Group A (control), Group B (low-dose OC), and Group C (high-dose OC). After 4 weeks of oral contraceptive administration, blood samples were collected and analyzed using the Jendrassik-Grof method (bilirubin), biuret method (total protein), and bromcresol green method (albumin). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, with ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test. The mean serum albumin levels were 3.60?±?0.43?g/dL (control), 3.97?±?0.26?g/dL (low dose), and 5.12?±?0.94?g/dL (high dose), showing a significant increase (p = 0.017). Total protein levels rose from 6.68?±?0.35?g/dL (control) to 7.43?±?0.54?g/dL (low dose) and 7.78?±?0.10?g/dL (high dose) (p = 0.030). Unconjugated bilirubin values increased from 0.63?±?0.10?mg/dL (control) to 0.78?±?0.05?mg/dL (low dose) and 0.93?±?0.21?mg/dL (high dose) (p = 0.026). Conjugated bilirubin also rose significantly, with values of 0.18?±?0.05?mg/dL in both control and low-dose groups, compared to 0.40?±?0.08?mg/dL in the high-dose group (p = 0.004). The Aspartate Transaminase in the high dose group recorded a significantly higher mean value of (12: 00 ± 1.4 U/L) compared to the control (9.50 ± 1.

Keywords

Levofemestrogenprogestincontraceptivesalbuminbilirubinaspartate

References

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Effect of Combined Oral Contraceptives on Bilirubin, Total Protein, Albumin, Aspartate Transaminase, Alanine Transaminase and Alkaline Phosphatase in Female Albino Rats

Abstract

Keywords

References

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