Serum resistin levels in women taking combined oral contraceptives containing desogestrel or gestodene

Resistin is a hormone secreted by adipose tissue that could be involved in the development of insulin resistance. Previous studies confirmed that endogenous sex steroids may influence serum resistin concentration in women. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of combined oral contraceptives containing desogestrel or gestodene on circulating levels of resistin. Fifty-three women were enrolled in the study. Thirteen patients received 20 mug ethinylestradiol/150 mug desogestrel, 15 women were treated with 20 mug ethinylestradiol/75 mug gestodene, 11 with 30 mug ethinylestradiol/150 mug desogestrel and 14 with 30 mug ethinylestradiol/75 mug gestodene. Blood samples for estimation of serum resistin and insulin levels were drawn before administration of oral contraceptive and after 6 cycles of therapy. We found that serum resistin level remained unchanged in women receiving ethinylestradiol/desogestrel and was reduced in women treated with formulations containing gestodene. We conclude that ethinylestradiol combined with desogestrel or gestodene is unlikely to induce insulin resistance through resistin pathway. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.