Anti-Mullerian hormone and insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome

The Relationship Between Insulin Resistance and Obesity and Serum Anti-Mullerian Hormone Level in Chinese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Retrospective, Single-Center Cohort Study

Background

Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is vital in the pathophysiological process of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The exact relationship between obesity and insulin resistance (IR) with AMH levels remains unclear.

Methods

A retrospective, single-center cohort study of 220 women with PCOS who underwent physical, endocrine, and metabolic assessments were performed. Patients were grouped by age, body mass indices (BMI), Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), and different phenotypes. Pearson correlation analysis assessed the correlation between AMH and HOMA-IR, BMI, and other PCOS indicators, and multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine factors influencing AMH.

Results

In 220 patients with PCOS, serum AMH levels decreased with age and were significantly higher in the IR group than in the non-IR group (P < 0.01). AMH increased significantly in anovulatory patients with hyperandrogenemia and/or polycystic ovary, with no significant difference between obese and non-obese individuals. AMH levels correlated positively with luteinizing hormone (LH), LH/follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, fasting insulin (FINS), and HOMA-IR levels; negatively with age and BMI levels (P < 0.05) and weakly with fasting plasma glucose in the classical PCOS phenotype (r=0.148, P < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that age, testosterone, FINS, LH, LH/FSH, and BMI influenced AMH levels (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Chinese women with PCOS-IR showed associations with greater AMH levels. AMH levels correlated positively with HOMA-IR levels and negatively with BMI. AMH combined with BMI and HOMA-IR levels may help determine PCOS severity.

The abnormal level of HSP70 is related to Treg/Th17 imbalance in PCOS patients

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disease with chronic nonspecific low-grade inflammation. The imbalance of immune cells exists in PCOS. Several studies have found that heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) may be involved in the immunological pathogenesis of PCOS, but the relationship between HSP70 and Regulatory T cell (Treg)/T helper cell 17(Th17) ratio remains unclear. This study aims to explore the correlation between HSP70 and Treg/Th17 ratio and to provide evidence for the role of HSP70 in the immunological etiology of PCOS.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in age and body mass index (BMI) between the two groups. The concentrations of basal estradiol (E₂), basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) did not show a significant difference between the two groups. The concentrations of basal luteinizing hormone (LH) (P < 0.01), testosterone (T) (P < 0.01), glucose (P < 0.001) and insulin (P < 0.001) in PCOS patients were significantly higher than those in the control group. The protein levels of HSP70 were significantly higher in serum in the PCOS group (P < 0.001). The percentage of Treg cells was significantly lower (P < 0.01), while the percentage of the Th17 cells of the PCOS group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The ratio of Treg/Th17 in the PCOS group was significantly lower (P < 0.001). The concentrations of Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, and IL-23 were significantly higher, while the levels of IL-10 and Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) were significantly lower in the PCOS group (P < 0.001). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed a strong negative correlation of serum HSP70 levels with Treg/Th17 ratio, IL-10, and TGF-β levels. In contrast, HSP70 levels were significantly positively correlated with IL-6, IL-17, IL-23, LH, insulin, and glucose levels.

CONCLUSION

The abnormal level of HSP70 is correlated with Treg/Th17 imbalance and corresponding cytokines, which indicates that HSP70 may play an important role in PCOS immunologic pathogenesis.

DNA methylation of AMHRII and INSR gene is associated with the pathogenesis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

BACKGROUND:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynecologic endocrinopathy, characterized by menstrual disorders, ovulation disorders, polycystic ovary, hyperandrogen syndrome and insulin resistance. At present, the etiology and exact pathogenesis of PCOS are still unclear. Anti-Müllerian hormone is a local regulator secreted by ovarian granulosa cells, and participates in regulating the occurrence and development of PCOS. Insulin resistance is another important pathophysiological feature of PCOS. Although the expression of anti-müllerian hormone receptor (AMHR) and insulin receptor (INSR) in PCOS have been previously reported, the DNA methylation of the genes have not been well characterized.

OBJECTIVE:

To study AMHR II/INSR and its role in gene methylation in Ovarian and endometrial pathology of PCOS subjects.

METHODS:

We recruited seventy-five women with PCOS as cases and twenty healthy women as controls, using immunohistochemical method, study localization, distribution and expression of MHRII/INSR in ovary and endometrium and then discover the correlation of AMHRII/INSR gene methylation.

RESULTS:

Different clinical features in PCOS group AMHRII gene methylation level and insulin resistance relations have significant differences (r= 0.532, P= 0.000); INSR gene methylation level and insulin resistance relations have significant differences (r= 0.281, P= 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS:

The analysis of DNA methylation suggested that methylation of AMHRII and INSR genes was associated with basic clinical characteristics and insulin resistance of PCOS. These results provide evidence for AMHRII and INSR genes, and their methylation levels are intimately associated with the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Anti-Müllerian Hormone Accelerates Pathological Process of Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients

Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the most common features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is related to obesity. Whether increased anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in PCOS are involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance remains unclear. We investigated serum levels of leptin and AMH along with basic clinical and metabolic parameters in 114 PCOS patients and 181 non-PCOS women. PCOS patients presented higher fasting blood glucose, insulin concentrations and Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) in addition to body mass index (BMI), lipids profiles and hormone levels. HOMA-IR showed a positive correlation with BMI, AMH, leptin, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) levels. Interestingly, AMH is strongly positively correlated with HOMA-IR and insulin concentrations for 1st and 2nd hours of glucose treatment after fasting. Among PCOS women with BMI≥25 kg/m², high AMH level group showed an increased HOMA-IR when compared to normal AMH level. However, among PCOS women with normal BMI, women with high AMH presented an elevated fasting insulin levels but not HOMA-IR when compared to normal AMH group. In vitro treatment of isolated islet cells with high concentration of leptin (200 ng/ml) or high leptin plus high concentration of AMH (1 ng/ml) significantly enhanced insulin secretion. Importantly, co-treatment of AMH plus leptin upregulates the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-8 after incubating with a high level of glucose. These results suggest that AMH may involve in the pathological process of pancreatic β-cells in obese PCOS women.

Correlation of Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance, Anti-Mullerian Hormone, and BMI in the Characterization of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Objective: To evaluate the correlation of homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), and BMI and to compare their values across the different phenotypes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women of the reproductive age group.

Study design: A total of 307 PCOS-diagnosed women were included in the study and further classified in different phenotypes. BMI, HOMA-IR, and serum AMH values were noted and their association with different phenotypes was seen. The correlation of these variables was also noted.

Results: Phenotype D was the most common phenotype followed by type A, type B, and type C. A total of 265 women had an AMH value of ≥4 mg/ml with the highest value in phenotype A followed by D, C, and B. HOMA-IR and BMI values did not vary significantly among different phenotypes. HOMA-IR and BMI had a statistically significant positive correlation and serum AMH was negatively correlated with HOMA-IR, but no significant correlation was seen between serum AMH and BMI. The biochemical parameters like luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), LH: FSH ratio, and serum testosterone showed no correlation with phenotypes or any other clinical parameter.

Conclusion: HOMA-IR and BMI showed a statistically significant positive correlation indicating the need for lifestyle modification and weight reduction in PCOS women, which can further help in decreasing insulin resistance. A strong correlation of serum AMH levels and phenotypes shows the importance of serum AMH levels for classifying different PCOS phenotypes.

Correlation of body mass index (BMI), anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), and insulin resistance among different polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) phenotypes - a cross-sectional study

One hundred and fifty infertile polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women were classified into four phenotypes on the basis of Rotterdam criteria. Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) with a cutoff ≥2.5 was considered as a measure of insulin resistance (IR). Maximum number of patients, 57 (38%) in our cohort belonged to phenotype A or the classical phenotype with all 3 features of Rotterdam criteria. Mean body mass index (BMI) in all phenotypes was more than 25 kg/m² and the highest was seen in phenotype B. According to BMI categories in the four phenotypes, more number of women was in the obese category in phenotype A (24.5%) and B (56.5%) in comparison to phenotype C (18.2%) and D (10.8%) (p<.001). There was no difference in median HOMA-IR among different phenotype categories (p=.718). The median value of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) was highest in phenotype A (11.68 ng/ml [7.94-16.46]) and significantly more in comparison to B phenotype (Kruskal-Wallis, p=.018). Thus there is heterogeneity in AMH levels and BMI in different PCOS phenotypes with higher levels in the most severe phenotypes. There is, however, no correlation of IR among the different phenotype groups and further investigation is needed to characterize its role in phenotypic classification.

The value of anti-Mullerian hormone in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescents

A prospective study was carried out in 110 adolescents (13-19 years), 90 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (study group) and 20 healthy adolescents (control group). The study group was divided into two: Group I - patients without insulin resistance (n = 30) and Group II - patients with insulin resistance (n = 60). Group I was treated with oral contraceptives (OCs), while Group II was divided into treatment subgroups of 20 patients each: Subgroup A received OCs; Subgroup B - myo-inositol; subgroup C - OCs + myo-inositol. Data were analyzed at baseline, 3 and 6 months of treatment. Results showed average anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels were significantly higher in PCOS patients (11.8 ± 5.3 ng/ml) than in controls (2.98 ± 4.5 ng/ml). After treatment, in Group I and Group II Subgroup A: AMH, luteinizing hormone (LH), free testosterone (FT), total testosterone (T), Ov/v, antral follicle count (AFC), and Ferriman-Gallwey modified scale (mFG) significantly decreased, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), body mass index (BMI) did not change significantly. In Group II Subgroup B only HOMA-IR and BMI significantly decreased; in Subgroup C all the parameters decreased significantly. The correlation between AMH and hormonal, morphological characteristics of ovaries were established. The results indicate that AMH could possibly be a valuable marker for the diagnosis of PCOS in adolescents, and for the assessment of treatment efficacy as well.

Determination of insulin resistance and its relationship with hyperandrogenemia,anti-Müllerian hormone, inhibin A, inhibin B, and insulin-like peptide-3 levels in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background/aim

This study aims to investigate the association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and obesity and insulin resistance (IR) with respect to anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), inhibin A (INH-A), inhibin B (INH-B), and insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) levels, all factors which may have an impact on IR.

Materials and methods

In this cross sectional study, 52 adolescent girls diagnosed with PCOS[groups: nonobese (NO), n = 23; overweight/obese (OW/O), n = 29] were included. Blood samples were obtained to measure AMH, INH-B, INH-A, and INSL3 levels, together with hormonal and biochemical assessments. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed and the indexes of IR [homeostasis model assessment: insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and Matsuda index] were calculated.

Results

Insulin resistance was 56.5% with OGTT and 30.4% with HOMA-IR in nonobese-PCOS girls. There was a correlation between INH-A and HOMA-IR even when controlled for body mass index (BMI). INH-B and FAI also had correlations with HOMA-IR which disappeared when controlled for BMI. In regression analyses, AMH (odds ratio = [0.903, P = 0.015) and FAI (odds ratio = 1.353, P = 0.023) are found to be contributors to IR. Their effect was BMI-independent. In ROC analysis, the cutoff value for FAI was 5.93 (sensitivity 71%) to define IR in PCOS girls.

Conclusion

AMH and FAI may contribute to IR (defined by OGTT) in PCOS. FAI might be used as a supporting IR marker (defined by OGTT) in adolescent girls with PCOS.

Serum AMH levels and insulin resistance in women with PCOS

OBJECTIVE

To compare the serum AMH levels between women with and without insulin resistance (IR) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

STUDY DESIGN

293 women with PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria were enrolled into our study. Insulin resistance was diagnosed according to the Homeostatic model assessment insulin resistant (HOMA-IR) formula and the cut-off point was set to more than 2.5. Women were grouped according to the presence of insulin resistance (IR) (HOMA-IR ≥ 2.5). Serum AMH and other hormones were compared between the IR (+) and IR (-) groups. Additionally, AMH percentiles were (<25, 25-75, >75) constructed; HOMA-IR and BMI values in women with/without IR were compared in different percentiles. Further, HOMA-IR, BMI and AMH values were measured across different PCOS phenotypes.

RESULTS

The prevalence of IR was 45%. The prevalence of IR was 57% in women with BMI ≥ 25. Serum AMH levels were not significantly different among women with and without IR. Also, HOMA-IR values were not significant among different AMH percentiles. However, in each AMH percentile BMI were found to be higher in women with IR than in women without IR. The median HOMA-IR values were the highest in women with BMI ≥ 25 in both IR (+) and IR (-) groups. No significant difference was found among PCOS phenotypes in terms of HOMA-IR and BMI. Positive correlations were found between BMI, free testosterone and HOMA-IR. However, no correlation was found between AMH and HOMA-IR.

CONCLUSION

The serum AMH levels between women with IR and without IR in PCOS were not significantly different. Also, we did not reveal a correlation between serum AMH levels and IR in women with PCOS. IR was not correlated with different PCOS phenotypes either. We found a positive correlation between BMI and IR. IR should be investigated in women with PCOS having a BMI ≥ 25, independent of their phenotype or AMH levels.

Relationship between serum anti-Mullerian hormone and intrafollicular AMH levels in PCOS women

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex disease characterized by various endocrine disorders that are the potential cause of anovulation and hyperandrogenism. Anti-Müllerian hormone expression is suspected to be overexpressed in PCOS granulosa cells. AMH acts as a regulator of folliculogenesis: it is produced by the granulosa cells of follicles from the stage of the primary follicle to the initial formation of the antrum. Serum and intrafollicular AMH levels are elevated in patients with PCOS due to increased number of small follicles and an increased secretion within each of these small follicles. This excess of AMH is strongly suspected to play a role in the characteristic follicular arrest of PCOS, through a negative action on aromatase expression and on FSH action. Value above 5 ng/ml or 35 pmol/l might be considered as a diagnostic criterion for PCOS. The aim of our study is to demonstrate the presence of higher AMH serum levels and higher AMH intrafollicular fluid level of PCOS patients, undergone to IVF cycles, compared to normovulatory patients. The results clearly indicate that blood and intrafollicular AMH levels are significantly higher in PCOS women comparing to the normovulatory population. Serum AMH level appears to be a good predictive marker for the risk ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: thus, its evaluation should be recommended before starting a controlled ovarian stimulation for IVF.

Association between anti-Mullerian hormone and insulin resistance in non-obese adolescent females with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE

The present study was designed to evaluate the association between anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and insulin resistance (IR) in non-obese adolescent females with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with and without IR.

METHODS

Seventy-seven consecutive non-obese patients were recruited and distributed into three groups according to diagnoses of PCOS and IR. Group I included 27 females diagnosed with PCOS and IR, group II included 18 females diagnosed with PCOS but without IR, and group III included 32 controls without PCOS.

RESULTS

Group I had significantly higher AMH levels compared to group II and group III (p < 0.012 and p < 0.000, respectively). ROC curve analyses demonstrated that the AUC, indicative of the AMH value for discriminating PCOS with IR, was 0.763, with a confidence interval of 0.607-0.920 (p = 0.004). There was a significant positive correlation between serum AMH and HOMA-IR levels in adolescent females with PCOS (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

We found that serum AMH levels were higher in non-obese adolescent females with PCOS and IR than in PCOS patients without IR and the healthy controls. There was a significant positive correlation between AMH levels and IR in non-obese adolescent females with PCOS.

The role of AMH in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovarian syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects 5 - 10% of reproductive age women, but its pathogenesis is still poorly understood. The aim of this review is to collate evidence and summarize our current knowledge of the role of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in PCOS pathogenesis. AMH is increased and correlated with the various reproductive and metabolic/endocrine alterations in PCOS. AMH plays an inhibitory role in follicular development and recruitment, contributing to follicular arrest. AMH inhibitory action on FSH-induced aromatase production likely contributes to hyperandrogenism in PCOS, which further enhances insulin resistance in these women. Elevated serum AMH concentrations are predictive of poor response to various treatments of PCOS including weight loss, ovulation induction and laparoscopic ovarian drilling, while improvement in various clinical parameters following treatment is associated with serum AMH decline, further supporting an important role for AMH in the pathophysiology of this syndrome. This review emphasizes the need for understanding the exact mechanism of action of AMH in the pathophysiology of PCOS. This may lead to the development of new treatment modalities targeting AMH to treat PCOS, as well as help clinicians in prognostication and better tailoring existing treatments for this disease.