Plasma beta-endorphin levels in obese and non-obese patients with polycystic ovary disease.
The aim of this study was to determine the influence of body weight on circulating plasma levels of beta-endorphin and insulin in women with polycystic ovary disease (PCOD), as well as the correlation between the plasma levels of beta-endorphin and insulin. One-hundred and sixty-seven consecutive subjects with PCOD were recruited, 117 of whom had normal weight (body mass index (BMI) < 25) while 50 were obese (BMI > 25). A venous blood sample was taken and plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin, insulin, gonadotropins, prolactin, progesterone, 17 beta-estradiol, estrone, androgens, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured. Mean beta-endorphin and insulin plasma levels were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in obese PCOD women than in non-obese ones. Correlation analysis showed a positive association between insulin and beta-endorphin, beta-endorphin and BMI (and weight), insulin and BMI (and weight), and a negative correlation was found between insulin and SHBG. A weak association was found between beta-endorphin and luteinizing hormone (LH) in peripheral plasma. Stratified and linear regression analysis showed that plasma beta-endorphin concentrations correlate more with BMI than with insulinemia.
Martínez-Guisasola
J
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Yagüe Hospital, Burgos, Spain.
Guerrero
M
M
Alonso
F
F
Díaz
F
F
Cordero
J
J
Ferrer
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
D006728:Hormones; D007328:Insulin; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D001615:beta-Endorphin