Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) on oxidative stress in Saudi women.
Methods A total of 55 Saudi women were divided into two groups: users of OCP (N=30) for at least 1 year and non-users (NOCP, N=25).The demographic data were obtained through face-to-face interviews performed by the researcher. Blood specimen from both groups were drawn after 8 h of fasting to estimate serum total antioxidant (TAOC), nitric oxide (NO), C-reactive protein (CRP), vitamins (E, B6, B12), and some hematological parameters: hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC).
Results The results showed a significant decreased in serum TAOC, NO, vitamins E, and B6 accompanied with high significant increase in CRP level while no significant changes B12, HB, RBC, and WBC were observed in the OCP users as compared to the control group.
Conclusions The results of this study indicated that the use of OCP resulted in low levels of the total antioxidant, nitric oxide, vitamins E, and B6 with a significant increase in CRP. Women who used OCP may be more susceptible to oxidative stress by enhanced depletion of antioxidants.