Original Paper

Effect of Oral Contraceptives on Lacrimal Fluid Peroxidase Activity in Women
V. Liberati^a, G. de Feo^a, F. Madia^a, G. Marcozzi<sup>b

a</sup>Dipartimento di Farmacologia delle Sostanze Naturali e Fisiologia Generale, Università degli Studi di Roma ‘La Sapienza’, Roma, e
^bDipartimento di Biologia di Base ed Applicata, Coppito 1, Università de L’Aquila, Italia

Address of Corresponding Author

Ophthalmic Res 2002;34:251-253 (DOI: 10.1159/000063882)

  Key Words

• Lacrimal fluid
• Estrogen
• Oral contraceptives
• Peroxidase activity
• Tears

  Abstract

Lacrimal fluid peroxidase has been supposed to be involved in the protection against oxidative damage to the ocular surface. Our recent findings showed the existence of significant cyclic variations in lacrimal fluid peroxidase activity that were positively correlated with those of 17β-estradiol plasma levels throughout the menstrual cycle of fertile women. In the present study lacrimal fluid peroxidase activity of 8 healthy normocyclic women using low-dose oral contraceptives during the monthly cycle was determined. Data showed that low-dose oral contraceptives caused a decrease in lacrimal fluid peroxidase activity and a lack of its cyclic pattern with respect to the enzyme activity of 8 untreated age-matched women. Moreover, this result suggests that lacrimal fluid peroxidase activity could be regulated by estrogen.

Copyright © 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Dr. G. Marcozzi
Dipartimento di Biologia di Base ed Applicata
Coppito 1, Università de L’Aquilla, Via Vetoio
I–67010 L’Aquila (Italy)
Tel. +39 0862 43 32 56, Fax +39 0862 43 32 73, E-Mail giordanamarcozzi@hotmail.com

  Article Information

Received: Received: December 18, 2001
Accepted after revision: March 20, 2002
Number of Print Pages : 3
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 13