Somatostatin treatment reduces the exaggerated response of adrenocorticotropin hormone and cortisol to corticotropin-releasing hormone in polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of somatostatin analogue (octreotide) in the function of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Women referred to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore.


METHODS
Twelve PCOS women and 12 normo-ovulatory controls.


METHODS
In early follicular phase, I microgram/kg human corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) was injected at 9:00 A.M. and blood samples were collected for 90 minutes after stimulus; ACTH and cortisol plasma levels were measured. The following day at 8:00 A.M., PCOS patients received an ACTH test (250 micrograms IV) and samples were collected 60 minutes after injection. After 6 weeks of octreotide treatment (100 mg s.c. twice daily), PCOS patients repeated the same study.


METHODS
Plasma cortisol and ACTH concentrations.


RESULTS
The ACTH and cortisol baseline levels were similar in PCOS and control patients. The responses to human CRH of ACTH (incremental area = 437.86 +/- 188.7 versus 175.78 +/- 87.6 pmol/L; mean +/- SD) and cortisol (incremental area = 17,293.6 +/- 4,320.3 versus 5,885 (912.1 nmol/L) were significantly greater in PCOS with respect to control subjects. After octreotide treatment, ACTH response significantly decreased and no difference was observed with respect to controls (incremental area = 176.94 +/- 91.4). Cortisol responses were decreased by treatment. However, they remained significantly higher than in controls. Treatment did not modify adrenal response to IV ACTH.


CONCLUSIONS
Data suggest that, in the HPA axis, hyperfunction of PCOS somatostatin could be involved partially.
Lanzone
A
A
Oasi Institute of Research, Troina, Italy.
Fulghesu
A M
AM
Guido
M
M
Cucinelli
F
F
Caruso
A
A
Mancuso
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013004:Somatostatin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone