COMBINED EFFECTS OF ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE, ALCOHOL AND CIGARETTE SMOKE ON SERUM LEVELS OF ZINC AND SELENIUM IN WOMEN

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effect of combined oral contraceptive (OC) on serum zinc, selenium and copper levels in women using COC, consuming alcohol and exposed to cigarette smoke, and to identify if differences in degree of exposure to these agents are capable of modulating effects of COC on antioxidant elements thereby increasing their risks of developing oxidative stress-induced diseases as well as hepatic diseases commonly associated with alcohol consumption. Venous blood samples were taken from the studied population for estimating trace elements and indices of hepatic function. The studied population was divided into smokers\binge drinkers and passive smokers\social drinkers groups. ALT, AST, ALP & copper were not significantly different in exposed group compared with control (p>0.05). Both GGT and total bilirubin were significantly increased while zinc and selenium were decreased (p<0.05). In addition, among the combined oral contraceptive users, both binge drinkers\smokers and social drinkers\passive smokers groups had a more depleted Zn and Se level compared with non-drinkers\non-smokers group and controls. These results suggest that women on COC consuming alcohol and smoking cigarette may be more susceptible to oxidative stress-induced diseases because of enhanced depletion of antioxidant elements, zinc, and selenium.