Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis sensitivity to opioids in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the influence of the opioid system on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Controlled clinical study.


METHODS
Academic research environment.


METHODS
Eight lean and 12 obese women with PCOS, and seven lean and 5 obese control subjects.


METHODS
Each patient received an i.v. bolus of naloxone at a dose of 125 microgram per kilogram of body weight; 48 hours later, each patient received 16 mg of loperamide p.o.


METHODS
Samples were collected for 2 hours for the naloxone test and for 3 hours for the loperamide test. Levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol were measured in all plasma samples.


RESULTS
The obese women with PCOS had a greater ACTH and cortisol response to opiate blockade than either the lean women with PCOS or the control subjects, but there was no difference between the lean or obese control subjects and the lean women with PCOS. There was no difference in the responsiveness of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to loperamide between the PCOS and control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The data indicate that the sensitivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to opioids cannot be altered in women with PCOS. However, abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in women with PCOS could be central in origin, as suggested by the effects of naloxone administration, and probably are related to the anthropometric characteristics of these hyperandrogenic patients.
Ciampelli
M
M
Ospedale G.B. Grassi, Ostia, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
Guido
M
M
Cucinelli
F
F
Cinque
B
B
Barini
A
A
Lanzone
A
A
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008139:Loperamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D009294:Narcotics / Q000819:agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009294:Narcotics; D009270:Naloxone; D008139:Loperamide; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone