Evaluation of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Adult Female Rats Exposed to Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills

Background: Prolonged daily intake of oral contraceptive pills may result in cardiotoxicity. However, there are conflicting reports on the effects of combined oral contraceptive pills on cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Aim: This study investigated the cardiotoxicity effect of combined oral contraceptive pills in female albino rats, by the estimation of serum cardiovascular diseases risk factors.

Methods: Twenty-four rats were randomly allotted into three groups of eight rat each. Group A (saline water and feed treated; n=8) which served as control group, Group B (0.6 mg/kg body weight of combined oral contraceptive pills treated for 48 days; n=8) and group C (0.6 mg/kg body weight of combined oral contraceptive pills treated for 60 days; n=8). After the required weeks of treatment, the animals were sacrificed and blood and heart tissue samples were collected for biochemical and histological analysis using standard procedures.

Results: The result showed significant increased body weight gain after the treatment with combined oral contraceptive pills. There was an elevation in serum C-reactive protein, and reduction in Nitric Oxide levels in the combined oral contraceptive pills treated rats. Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, triglyceride, cardiac troponin-1, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase-MB and malondialdehyde levels were increased in the combined oral contraceptive pills treated rats compared with control group. Histological result as revealed by the photomicrographs showed degeneration of transverse muscles, vascular congestion and vascular necrosis.

Conclusion: The study has confirmed that combined oral contraceptive pills causes an alteration in cardiovascular disease risk factors and cytoarchitecture of the heart. Thus, can induces ischemic heart disease.