Do Progestin-Only Contraceptives Contribute to the Risk of Developing Depression As Implied by Beta-Arrestin 1 Levels in Leukocytes? A Pilot Study

Overview

Journal Int J Environ Res Public Health

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Environmental Health
Public Health

Date 2018 Sep 13

PMID 30205587

Citations 7

Authors

Keisha Smith

Sanket Nayyar

Tanu Rana

Anthony E Archibong

Kimberly R Looney

Tultul Nayyar

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

We reported previously that reduction in beta-arrestin 1 (β-AR 1) protein levels in peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBMC) significantly correlated with the severity of depressive symptoms in reproductive women. In this pilot study, we used β-AR 1 protein levels in PBMC as a marker for developing depressive symptoms and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) scores to assess potential mood-related side effects of oral contraceptive use for routine birth control among women. We evaluated 29 women in this study. We enrolled the participants in three groups: Estrogen-progestin combination-oral contraceptives (COC, = 10), progestin-only contraceptives (POC, = 12), and non-hormonal or no contraceptives (NC, = 7). We determined the β-AR 1 protein levels in PBMCs by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found that women in the POC group had significantly higher HAM-D scores compared to those in the COC ( < 0.0004) and NC ( < 0.004). The levels of β-AR 1 protein were significantly attenuated in women in the POC group compared to women in the NC group ( = 0.03). Our findings suggest that the use of POC is a potential risk factor for developing depressive symptoms.

Citing Articles

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