title: The hyperandrogenic-insulin-resistant acanthosis nigricans syndrome: therapeutic response.
abstract: The hyperandrogenic-insulin-resistant acanthosis nigricans syndrome affects between 2% and 5% of hirsute women and is characterized by INS resistance, elevated INS levels, acanthosis nigricans, and androgen excess. These patients' response to therapy is unclear, although long-acting GnRH-a suppression has been proposed. The objective of this study was to determine the success of OC in suppressing the hyperandrogenemia of five patients with the hyperandrogenic-insulin-resistant acanthosis nigricans syndrome and the subsequent response to GnRH-a suppression of those women failing initial therapy. After 6 months of OC and SPA therapy, four patients experienced adequate suppression of free T, an increase in SHBG levels, and a subjective improvement in hair growth rate. Two also reported an improvement in hair texture. The total and free T levels in the fifth patient did not suppress after 8 months of OC therapy. Nevertheless, in this patient the administration of a GnRH-a along with hormonal replacement and SPA adequately suppressed free and total T, increased SHBG, and dramatically decreased the shaving interval. In conclusion, although GnRH-a suppression and hormonal replacement can be helpful in patients not responding to standard therapy, the majority of patients with the hyperandrogenic-insulin-resistant acanthosis nigricans syndrome will respond favorably to OC treatment. It is also clear that although hyperinsulinemia augments LH-stimulated androgen biosynthesis in vivo, it does not appear to be able to initiate or maintain androgen production in the absence of adequate gonadotropin stimulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Azziz
mesh_terms: D000052:Acanthosis Nigricans / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D013148:Spironolactone; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; D016729:Leuprolide