title: Lipids in polycystic ovary syndrome: role of hyperinsulinemia and effects of metformin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome frequently suffer from hyperinsulinemia and adverse lipid profile. This study evaluated effects of metformin on lipid profile.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lipid profiles in hyperinsulinemic (n = 43) and normoinsulinemic (n = 45) subjects were compared. Hyperinsulinemic subjects were treated with metformin (500 mg po tid) and lipid profiles were reevaluated at 3 and 6 months of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hyperinsulinemic group had significantly lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (by 11%), higher total cholesterol to HDL ratio (by 23%), and greater triglycerides (by 57%) than the normoinsulinemic group. Six-month metformin therapy in hyperinsulinemic women was associated with a significant decrease of insulin level (by 35%), total cholesterol (by 11%), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (by 12%), and triglycerides (by 33%). Levels of lipids in hyperinsulinemic women after metformin therapy were comparable to levels observed in normoinsulinemic subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study supports the notion that metformin may be considered as a prophylactic therapy lowering cardiovascular risk factors in hyperinsulinemic women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Banaszewska
authors.forename: Antoni J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Duleba
authors.forename: Robert Z
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: Spaczynski
authors.forename: Leszek
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pawelczyk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D008687:Metformin; D002784:Cholesterol