Effects of cyproterone acetate (CPA) on serum lipoproteins when administered alone and in combination with ethinyl estradiol (EE).

The effects of serum lipids and lipoproteins of 2 mg cyproterone acetate (CPA) given alone and in combination with 35 or 50 micrograms ethinyl estradiol (EE) were studied in 21 oophorectomized women in a study with a cross-over design. CPA in this low oral dose was rather inert in its effects on lipoprotein lipids. It induced only a small decrease in the free cholesterol and phospholipid content of the high density lipoprotein (HDL) fraction. As regards the CPA-EE combinations, they induced a slight increase in the HDL fraction, a small decrease in the low density lipoprotein (LDL) fraction and a substantial increase in triglycerides both in the serum and in the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) fraction. This lipoprotein pattern is invariably induced after the administration of an alkylated estrogen or an "estrogen dominated" oral contraceptive. An increase in triglycerides is a "biochemical" adverse effect which may have clinical implications for some patients.