Abstract

The aim of the study was to look at the response of blood androgens, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and insulin to the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Eight hirsute oligomenorrhoeic women with PCOS, body mass index (BMI) 24.8±4.9 kg/m2,, LH/FSH ratio 2.8±0.9, aged 21-23 years were studied. Control consisted of 5 eumenorrhoeic, nonhirsute women, aged 22-32 with BMI 22.6±3.7 kg/m2, and LH/FSH ratio 1.3±0.6. A standard 3-hour OGTT was begun after an overnight fast. Blood samples were collected at 0, 60', 120', 180' of OGTT. Insulin, testosterone (T), androstenedione (A) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were measured by RIA and SHBG, FSH, LH by IRMA. The significant differences between the study and control groups were observed as follows: A0 - 1.9±0.1 vs 1.33&plusm;0.2; A120' - 1.52±0.1 vs 0.75±0.1 (ng/mL); SHBG120' - 46.9±22.9 vs 71.6±6.3; S±HBG180' - 46.9±22.9 vs 69.5±3.7 (nmol/l); insulin60' - 94.9±52.0 vs 37.2±15.5; insulin120' - 91.4±49.6 vs 38.8±10.9 (IU/mL); LH - 16.12±6.4 vs 8.0±2.0 (mIU/mL). A negative correlation was shown between insulin and SHBG values in the PCOS women during the glucose load. Fasting insulin levels correlated positively with fasting DHEAS levels in healthy women. Our data confirm the influence of insulin on serum SHBG and androgen levels. Thus, the treatment of hyperandrogenism in PCOS patients should include the reduction of hyperinsulinemia.

Keywords: androgen, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Insulin Resistance