title: Plasma beta-endorphin levels in obese and non-obese patients with polycystic ovarian disease.
abstract: Several reports have shown elevated circulating beta-endorphin (beta-EP) levels in patients with polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD). However, it is not yet clear whether these high beta-EP levels are linked to the etiopathogenesis of PCOD or are secondary to the obesity. In the present study we measured beta-EP plasma concentrations in 19 PCOD patients, 10 with normal weight (Group A) and 9 with excessive weight (Group B), and in 18 normally ovulating women, 10 with normal weight (Group C) and 9 with excessive weight (Group D). beta-EP values were similar in the two groups of non-obese patients and controls. beta-EP concentrations were also similar in the two groups of obese patients and controls, and they were significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than in non-obese patients. Our data indicate that in PCOD, elevated beta-EP values are related to obesity, suggesting that they are not linked to the pathogenesis of PCOD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2nd School of Medicine, University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nappi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petraglia
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cudemo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Volpe
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Facchinetti
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Genazzani
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Montemagno
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone