Oral contraceptives alone and with spironolactone increase sCD40 ligand in PCOS patients.

BACKGROUND

The present study was designed to determine the effect of oral contraceptives (OCP) and OCP plus spironolactone (Sp) on plasma soluble CD40L levels in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients.

METHODS

Fifty-six women with PCOS were randomized into two treatment protocols: ethinylestradiol + cyproterone acetate (2 mg, EE/CA; n = 28), and EE/CA with spironolactone (Sp; n = 28). Plasma sCD40L levels were measured before and after a 3-month treatment.

RESULTS

Before the initiation of treatment, the sCD40L levels were not significantly different between the groups [EE/CA (1.33 ng/mL) vs. EE/CA + Sp (1.23 ng/mL); P > 0.05]. In the post-treatment period, sCD40L concentrations were increased compared with pre-treatment values in the EE/CA and EE/CA + Sp groups (1.33 vs. 2.70 ng/mL, P = 0.011; and 1.23 vs. 2.41 ng/mL, P = 0.017; respectively).

CONCLUSION

Increased plasma concentrations of sCD40L are associated with OCP and OCP + Sp treatment regimens in PCOS patients.