DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2013.v01i02.008

Pages: 62-64

Abstract: The use of injectable contraceptives especially depomedroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is becoming increasingly popular in Nigeria probably because of its relative usage ease. Drugs, including contraceptives are metabolized in the liver, yet information on the effect of injectable contraceptives on liver function biomarkers are few among Nigerian users. In this present study, the activities of some liver enzymes: alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were assayed in serum of patients receiving DMPA (n=15) and Cu-IUD (n=15) contraceptives. Non-contraceptive users (n=15) were included as control. Results show that DMPA contraceptive use significantly (p<0.05) increased serum ALT (38.40±3.86 IU/L), ALP (85.50±8.80 IU/L), and AST (27.18±4.03IU/L) activities when compared with levels obtained from Cu-IUD contraceptive (ALT: 13.60±4.10 IU/L, ALP (36.80±6.50 IU/L, AST: 13.10±2.43 IU/L), and non-contraceptive (ALT: 10.43±4.99 IU/L, ALP: 33.79 ± 4.49 IU/L, AST: 12.13±3.06 IU/L) users. Evidence from result findings show that DMPA contraceptive increased (p<0.05) activities of ALT, ALP and AST in serum of users. This might be due to altered metabolism of these liver enzymes and/or compromise in liver membrane integrity. The implicating mechanism needs further elucidation.