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The present study has examined the influence of the prenatal and early life administration of paracetamol on the level of neurotransmitters in the spinal cord of rat pups. The effect of the drug was evaluated in 2-month old Wistar male rats exposed to paracetamol in doses of 5 (P5, n=9) or 15 mg/kg (P15, n=9) p.o. during the prenatal period and after birth until the completion of the second month of life. A parallel control group received tap water (Con, n=9). In this study we have determined the level of monoamines, their metabolites and amino acids in the spinal cord of rats using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the second month of life. The present experiment demonstrates the action of paracetamol at the molecular level associated with significant modulation of neurotransmission in the spinal cord related to dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems. Simultaneously, paracetamol administration increases the content of an aspartic and glutamic acids in the spinal cord at a critical time during development.

An increasing number of premenopausal women use contraception whereas postmenopausal women use hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This long-term hormone therapy poses a high risk of interactions with dietary supplements. Taking estrogens at the same time as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), biologically-active compounds of glycine soja, Ginkgo biloba or Pimpinella anisum, may distort the final effect of the hormone agent. On the other hand, estrogen therapy coupled with melatonin or retinol supplementation may lead to an increased level of dietary supplements in the serum as studies have proved a concomitant beneficial effect of HRT and vitamin E supplementation on lipid profiles. In turn, taking preparations containing St John's wort during hormone therapy may lead to a reduction in hormone concentrations in serum and debilitation of the pharmacological effect. It results from the inductive effect of the biologically-active compounds of St John's wort on the metabolism of hormones as a result of the enhanced activity of cytochrome P450 CYP3A4 (Adv Clin Exp Med 2014, 23, 4, 657-663). Preparations containing a female sex hormone are mostly used by women at childbearing age as a method of contraception, or by postmenopausal women as a hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Although HRT is considered a risk factor of breast cancer and other diseases and though its use has declined [1, 2], it is still taken by a high percentage of women [3]. A HORTPOL 2002 study has shown that about 12% of Polish women aged 45--64 used HRT and 64% of them had it prescribed as an oral medication [4]. According to the Central Statistics Office, in 2009 about 30% of women aged 15-50 years and using birth control chose hormonal contraception via pills, patches, or injections [5]. Hormone therapy is constantly transforming in terms of doses, types of hormones, and schedule of their administration [6,7]. Hormone replacement therapy or hormonal contraception are commonly continued for a long time. It can lead to the risk of an interaction not only with other drugs, but also with ingredients of dietary supplements. Dietary supplement usage is high and still increasing in many countries [8][9][10]. Their popularity varies depending on age, gender, living place, and educational level. Much more women than men take these preparations and also more women at the perimenopausal or postmenopausal age, especially with a higher educational level than younger women [11,12].The aim of this study was to review published studies concerning the interactions between drugs containing female sex hormones and dietary supplements.

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