Profound alterations of the lipoprotein metabolism during danazol treatment in premenopausal women.

Twelve women with pelvic endometriosis were treated with 600 mg of danazol daily for 24 weeks. The molar and fractional lecithin:cholesterol acyl transfer (LCAT) rates and the concentrations of cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglycerides were determined in plasma and in the very low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and HDL2 and HDL3 fractions before, during, and after the medication. After 2 weeks the HDL, HDL2, and HDL3 cholesterol concentrations were reduced by 49%, 73%, and 29%, respectively, while the LDL level was increased by 14%. The molar and fractional LCAT rates decreased during treatment, and these reduced LCAT rates are consistent with a reduced fractional LDL removal. Within 8 weeks after cessation of medication, all parameters had returned to the pretreatment levels.