Levels of lipoprotein and homocysteine in non-obese and obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to examine the relationship between homocysteine (Hcy), lipoprotein levels and insulin resistance in obese and non-obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Eighty-five patients (38 obese, 47 non-obese) with PCOS and 50 healthy subjects (25 obese, 25 non-obese) were included in the study. PCOS was defined according to the Homburg criterion. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), insulin, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, free testosterone, androstenedione, vitamin B12 and folate were measured. Also, serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)), apoprotein B (Apo B) and apoprotein A (Apo A) were determined. Plasma Hcy levels were measured. Insulin resistance was evaluated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA).


RESULTS
Plasma Hcy levels were significantly higher in women with PCOS than in healthy women. HOMA-R (insulin resistance) was significantly higher in women with PCOS compared with healthy women. Serum fasting TC, LDL-C, TG, Apo B, vitamin B12 and folate levels were similar between PCOS and control groups. Lp(a) levels were higher in PCOS patients than in control subjects, whereas HDL-C and Apo A levels were lower. Compared with obese PCOS subjects, non-obese PCOS subjects had low HOMA-R, TC, LDL-C, TG, Apo B, Lp(a) and androgen levels. Plasma Hcy levels, serum HDL-C and Apo A levels were similar between obese and non-obese women with PCOS. Levels of HDL-C and Apo A were lower in both obese and non-obese PCOS patients than in obese and non-obese control subjects, whereas Lp(a) levels were higher. No correlation was observed between plasma Hcy, body mass index, HOMA-R, serum androgen levels, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, Apo A, Apo B and Lp(a) levels.


CONCLUSIONS
These results showed that elevated insulin resistance and plasma Hcy levels, and changes in serum lipid profile, which are possible risk factors for cardiovascular disorders, play important roles in the development of cardiovascular disease in both obese and non-obese patients with PCOS.
Yilmaz
Murat
M
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale, Turkey. murartt@hotmail.com
Biri
Aydan
A
Bukan
Neslihan
N
Karakoç
Ayhan
A
Sancak
Banu
B
Törüner
Füsun
F
Paşaoğlu
Hatice
H
D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D001054:Apolipoproteins A / Q000097:blood; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001054:Apolipoproteins A; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D007328:Insulin; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D006710:Homocysteine; D013739:Testosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D002784:Cholesterol