Impact of Prolonged Use of Postinor®-2 and Norinyl®-1/35 on Hepatic Enzyme Levels in Female Wistar Rats: A Biochemical Assessment

Abstract

The liver is prone to inflammation or disease after prolonged exposure to toxins or pharmaceutical agents. This study investigates the impact of prolonged exposure to contraceptive drugs, Postinor®-2 and Norinyl®-1/35, on hepatic enzyme levels in female Wistar rats. Twenty-five (25) adult female Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 5), respectively: Group 1 (control; administered 5 mg/kg/bw of normal saline). In groups 2 (Postinor®-2; treated with 0.10 mg/kg/bw), group 3 (Postinor®-2; 0.20 mg/kg/bw), groups 4 (Norinyl®-1/35; 0.10 mg/kg/bw) and group 5 (Norinyl®-1/35; 0.20 0.20mg/kg/bw) all admissions were done orally for fourteen (14) days. On day 15, the animals were anaesthetized, and their livers were harvested for biochemical analysis. After which, the results were analyzed using ANOVA with p<0.05 signifying the statistical significance. All the treated groups showed a significant increase in ALT levels compared to the control group; ALT was higher in group 2 (0.10 mg/kg b.wt of Postinor®-2) compared to group 3. While AST levels were reduced in groups 2 and 4 compared to the control group, SOD decreased in groups 1 and 4 when compared to the control group. MDA levels increase in contraceptive-administered groups compared with control group. In conclusion, prolonged intake of Postinor®-2 and Norinyl®-1/35, irrespective of dosage, induces oxidative stress by increasing lipid peroxidation, as observed by the value of MDA, and hence oxidative stress might be the reason by which the contraceptives alters the liver enzyme functions.