High DHEAS/free testosterone ratio is related to better metabolic parameters in women with PCOS

AIMS

To demonstrate the effects of DHEAS/free testosterone (DHEAS/FT) ratio on metabolic parameters in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS

The data of 91 women with PCOS and 66 women in the control group were collected retrospectively.

RESULTS

DHEAS/FT of the control group was higher than that of PCOS group (684.93 ± 300.54 to 517.2 ± 300.8, p < 0.001). DHEAS/FT correlated with BMI (r = -0.352, p = 0.001), WHR (r = -0.371, p = 0.0219), LDL (r = -0.227, p = 0.031), HOMA-IR (r = -0.36, p = 0.001) and FAI (r = -0.639, p = 0.001) negatively and with HDL (r = 0.344, p = 0.001) and SHBG (r = 0.646, p = 0.001) positively. In the control group, DHEAS/FT correlated with BMI (r = -0.334, p = 0.007), CRP (r = -0.297, p = 0.016) and FAI (r = -0.399, p = 0.01) negatively.

CONCLUSIONS

High DHEAS/FT ratios are related to a better metabolic phenotype in women with PCOS and low levels can be used to detect women with PCOS that have a higher risk of metabolic problems.

Reciprocal Action of Pentraxin-3 and CRP in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pentraxin-3 and other biochemical parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We compared 58 women with PCOS to 34 body mass index- and age-matched normally menstruating healthy controls. Women with PCOS had significantly higher DHEA-S, free testosterone, LH and FAI, but lower pentraxin-3 levels when compared to healthy controls (0.86±0.21 and 0.91±0.14 respectively, p=0.014). Levels of CRP and lipoprotein-a were higher in the PCOS group. Overweight PCOS had significantly higher insulin, HOMA-IR, FAI, free testosterone and CRP and statistically significantly lower HDL and SHBG levels when compared to controls. Pentraxin-3 levels of obese and normal weight PCOS were similar. CRP and pentraxin-3 might contribute reciprocally to metabolic events and chronic low-grade inflammation in women with PCOS.

Retinol-binding protein 4 is elevated and is associated with free testosterone and TSH in postmenopausal women

The aim of this study was to understand the relationship of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) with hormonal and biochemical parameters in pre- and postmenopausal women. We included 69 postmenopausal women and 27 regularly menstruating premenopausal women. Postmenopausal women had statistically significantly higher RBP4 levels when compared to premenopausal women. RBP4 levels were negatively associated with free testosterone and positively associated with thyroid stimulating hormone in postmenopausal women. In premenopausal women RBP4 was positively associated with body mass index. RBP4 levels were increased in postmenopausal women. Although the mechanism is not clear, these findings suggest that RBP4 has a role in the regulation of hormonal and metabolic parameters.

Serum visfatin levels do not increase in post-menopausal women with metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine the serum visfatin levels in post-menopausal (PM) women with and without metabolic syndrome (MS) and to understand the correlation between serum visfatin levels and various other hormonal and metabolic parameters.

MATERIALS-METHODS

We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study including 17 PM women with MS and a control group of 51 PM women without MS. MS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III.

RESULTS

Women with MS had statistically significantly higher fasting blood glucose, HDL, triglycerides, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and SHBG levels when compared to women without MS. Estradiol, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and free testosterone levels were higher in the MS group, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Visfatin levels did not differ between the two groups. There was no correlation between serum visfatin levels and other parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no association between serum visfatin levels and MS in PM women.