title: The plasma homocysteine levels are increased in polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have several cardiovascular disease risk factors. Since hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with early atherosclerosis, it was postulated that the homocysteine levels are higher in PCOS patients than in control subjects which, therefore, may explain the cardiovascular disease risk. Thirty-five women with PCOS and 20 healthy subjects were studied. Endocrine assays, lipid profile, homocysteine and insulin level determinations, and ultrasound evaluation were performed in all subjects. We found significantly higher mean plasma homocysteine concentrations in patients with PCOS as compared with controls (10.4 +/- 4.4 vs. 7.2 +/- 1.5 ng/dl; p < 0.003). These data show that in PCOS early atherosclerosis is not exclusively dependent on hyperinsulinemia and elevated lipid profile - PCOS patients are exposed to significantly higher homocysteine levels which might increase the cardiovascular disease risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bari, Italy. g.loverro@gynecology2.uniba.it
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Loverro
authors.forename: Filomenamila
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lorusso
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mei
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Depalo
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cormio
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Selvaggi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D006710:Homocysteine