title: Microvascular dysfunction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with multiple cardiovascular risk factors and an increased prevalence of arterial dysfunction. However, microvascular dysfunction in PCOS has not been assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects comprised 12 women with PCOS and 12 age-matched controls with normal ovaries. Microvascular function was assessed by observing forearm skin microvascular erythrocyte flux responses, to cumulative iontophoretic doses of 1% (w/v) acetylcholine (ACh) and 1% (w/v) sodium nitroprusside (SNP), using laser Doppler imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Basal microvascular perfusion was comparable in PCOS and controls. The increase in skin microvascular perfusion in response to ACh was however generally blunted in PCOS women (P = 0.018). Peak ACh-induced erythrocyte flux was also less (p < 0.04) in PCOS women (125.1 +/- 21.7, i.e. 5.3-fold basal flux) than in controls (200.8 +/- 28.5, i.e. 8.3-fold basal flux). Analysis of covariance indicated this effect was unrelated to differences in body mass index or serum testosterone but serum insulin may be a weak confounder. No differences were noted between the PCOS and control groups in their response to SNP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite its limited sample size studied, this is the first demonstration that women with PCOS exhibit microvascular endothelial dysfunction, indicated by an inhibited vasodilatory response to ACh.
authors.affiliation: Ultrasound Department, North Middlesex Hospital, London.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lakhani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Seifalian
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hardiman
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007478:Iontophoresis; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000494:pharmacology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D009599:Nitroprusside; D013739:Testosterone; D000109:Acetylcholine