THE EFFECT OF DROSPIRENONE/ESTRADIOL TREATMENT ON CATALASE AND CARBONIC ANHYDRASE ENZYME ACTIVITIES, AND SOME MINERAL CONCENTRATIONS IN OVARIECTOMIZED RATS

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the effect of drospirenone/estradiol (Angeliq (R)) on erythrocyte CAT and CA enzyme activities, and serum Fe, Mg, Co, Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn and Cd concentrations in ovariectomized- and drospirenone/estradiol-treated rats. Forty Female Wistar-albino rats were divided randomly into four groups, each consisting of ten rats. The animals in the first group were not treated, and served as control. The animals in the second group were operated but not ovariectomized and served as sham group. The animals in the third group were operated, ovariectomized but not treated with drospirenone/estradiol and served as ovariectomized group. The animals in the fourth group were operated, ovariectomized and treated with 0.01 mg/kg 17 beta-estradiol and 0.02 mg/kg drospirenone daily, p.o. for four weeks. Blood samples were collected at the end of the application period for the determination of the erythrocyte catalase (CAT) and carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme activities as well as serum Fe, Mg, Co, Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn and Cd concentrations. It was found that although erythrocyte CAT enzyme activity decreased in sham group, CA enzyme activity increased in angeliq group. Serum Pb levels of angeliq group and serum Mg levels of sham, ovariectomized and angeliq groups decreased. Serum Co, Cu, Mn and Fe levels increased in angeliq group. There was no significant difference among groups with regard to the serum Cd or Zn levels. It was concluded that hormonal replacement therapy might provide beneficial effects on blood antioxidant enzyme activity, heavy metal and some trace element levels in menopause. However, more studies are needed to verify and clarify the relationship between the hormonal replacement therapy and blood antioxidant status and trace element levels in menopause.