Serum adiponectin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Adiponectin is regarded as a possible link between adiposity and insulin resistance. The study aim was to measure serum adiponectin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to assess possible correlations between adiponectin and the hormonal or metabolic parameters of the syndrome.


METHODS
Eighty-five selected women were classified as: Group I (n = 35) with PCOS + body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m(2); group II (n = 35) with PCOS + BMI <25 kg/m(2); and group III (controls; n = 15) ovulating without hyperandrogenaemia and BMI <25 kg/m(2). Blood samples were collected between the days 3 and 6 of a spontaneous menstrual cycle, at 09:00, after an overnight fast. Serum levels of FSH, LH, prolactin, 17alpha-OH-progesterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), androgens, insulin, adiponectin and glucose were measured.


RESULTS
Adiponectin levels were significantly decreased in group I compared with groups II and III. No significant difference in adiponectin levels was found between groups II and III, despite significant differences in insulin levels and glucose:insulin ratio. Multiple regression analysis showed that Delta(4)-androstenedione levels and BMI values were the only significant determinants of serum adiponectin levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum adiponectin levels are reduced in obese women with PCOS. Although adiponectin does not seem to be actively involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS, there seems to be an interaction between adiponectin and steroid synthesis or action.
Panidis
Dimitrios
D
Division of Endocrinology and Human Reproduction, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. argic@med.auth.gr
Kourtis
Anargyros
A
Farmakiotis
Dimitrios
D
Mouslech
Tzant
T
Rousso
David
D
Koliakos
Georgios
G
D052242:Adiponectin; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D052242:Adiponectin; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D000735:Androstenedione