Can metformin reduce insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome?
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether metformin is able to reduce insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Single-blind study comprising two successive periods of treatment: 8 weeks of placebo and 10 weeks of metformin (orally, 850 mg twice daily).


METHODS
Clinic of endocrinology and metabolism of Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty at Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.


METHODS
Sixteen insulin-resistant women with PCOS.


METHODS
Insulin sensitivity (with an IV insulin tolerance test), plasma glucose and insulin levels during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), serum androgens, and lipids were measured at baseline and after each treatment period.


RESULTS
Insulin sensitivity, the mean fasting serum levels of glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total T, free T, androstenedione, DHEAS, and LH:FSH ratio, and the areas under the curve for plasma glucose and insulin during OGTT were not changed by either placebo or metformin treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Metformin does not decrease insulin resistance in PCOS. This finding suggests that cellular mechanism of insulin resistance in PCOS is different from other common insulin-resistant states such as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and obesity.
Açbay
O
O
Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty of Istanbul University, Turkey.
Gündoğdu
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008687:Metformin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D010919:Placebos; D014280:Triglycerides; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D008687:Metformin; D002784:Cholesterol