Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0011570 (depression)
 172,036 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Oral contraceptive (OC) use has been associated with 50 different metabolic changes but few women require increased amounts of nutrients to prevent deficiencies. Plasma triglyceride levels are markedly increased by OCs, but no consistent changes have been found in plasma cholesterol, fatty acids, or phospholipids. Small elevations in blood glucose and plasma insulin levels result from OC use, and plasma albumin is decreased and the alpha and beta globulins and fibrinogen are increased. Women on the pill show slight increases in the urinary excretion of some of the amino acids and decreases in some of the blood amino acids. Tryptophan metabolism is altered by OC use; changes in parameters of Vitamin-B6 metabolism are seen and Vitamin-B6 is used as a cofactor for several enzymes in the tryptophan pathway. At the beginning of OC use the retention of dietary nitrogen increases, and weight gain may result. The estrogens in OCs reduce plasma calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Most studies demonstrate an increase in serum iron and copper and a decrease in plasma zinc. Studies have also found an increase in plasma levels of Vitamin-A and a decrease of carotene, Vitamin-E, ascorbic acid, folacin, Vitamin-B12, and Vitamin-B6. 20% of OC users have enlarged cervical and vaginal cells as a result of abnormal folacin metabolism. The abnormality is corrected by oral folacin supplementation. Some women respond to OC treatment with biochemical signs of Vitamin-B6 deficiency and depression. These women should receive 20-40 mg Vitamin-B6 as a supplement.
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PMID:Nutrition during oral contraceptive treatment. 58 16

Administration of HgCl2 at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight/day for 15 days to male albino rats brought about a marked depression of the scavenging enzymes viz. glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase, in kidney. There was an adaptive rise in the levels of catalase and no increased lipid peroxidation was observed. The levels of both glutathione and glutathione reductase were decreased, whereas total thiol increased. In the intoxicated rats, Vitamin-E was effective in bringing back glutathione levels to normal. The adaptation in this group of animals is reflected by increased superoxide dismutase activities. Feeding of Vitamin-E alone could cause a depression of the scavenging enzymes like glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase along with a slight lowering of glutathione levels.
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PMID:Effects of mercuric chloride on several scavenging enzymes in rat kidney and influence of vitamin E supplementation. 649 53

Although most researchers are concerned with the major side effects of oral contraceptives, swelling, nausea, depression, poor circulation, and weight gain are labeled ''minor'' and ignored. A few researchers have found that these side effects seem related to nutritional depletion in oral contraceptive users, especially: 1) Vitamin-B6, which is linked to depression and tryptophan level abnormalities in pill users and may be associated with nausea and weight gain. Studies show a daily need 10-30 times greater than that for women not on the pill. 2) Folic acid deficiency, common among women but a 25% deficiency rate has been noted in pill users. This has been associated with cell malformation and may be a reason for the high spontaneous abortion rate in women who conceive immediately after discontinuing the pill. 3) B1 and B12, the vitamins affecting energy, skin, and hair. Although not linked to any side effects, levels are low in pill users. 4) Vitamin-C, definitely depleted in pill users. This may be part of the bodily change resulting in cardiac problems and thrombosis. Full vitamin supplementation is recommended for all women taking oral contraceptives, including these vitamins as well as Vitamin-E and bioflavinoids. Vitamin supplements are routine for pregnancy. They should also be routine for the pseudopregnancy of oral contraception.
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PMID:Women on the pill are opening up a small case of side effects every morning. 1222 10