Serum aldosterone concentration and cardiovascular risk in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with early impairment of vascular structure and a low-grade chronic inflammation. Aldosterone is a well-recognized cardiovascular risk (CVR) factor and is related to inflammatory processes.


OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to investigate serum aldosterone levels in PCOS and correlate them to some CVR factors and early atherosclerotic markers.


METHODS
A prospective baseline-controlled clinical study was conducted at the University "Federico II" of Naples School of Medicine (Naples, Italy).


METHODS
Fifty PCOS women age- and body mass index-matched with 50 healthy women were enrolled.


METHODS
Anthropometric, hormonal, and metabolic patterns, including plasma aldosterone, renin, and C-reactive protein, were measured in each subject. Intima-media thickness was also evaluated in each patient and control.


RESULTS
Aldosterone levels were significantly increased (P < 0.001) in PCOS compared with healthy women (10.5 +/- 3.2 vs. 5.7 +/- 2.5 ng/dl). In PCOS, a significant (P < 0.001) direct correlation between plasma aldosterone and homeostasis model assessment, C-reactive protein, intima-media thickness, and mean blood pressure was found. On the other hand, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and potassium were inversely (P < 0.001) related to serum aldosterone. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the area under the curve for insulin and homeostasis model assessment was linearly related to aldosterone in PCOS.


CONCLUSIONS
PCOS women show an insulin resistance related increase in serum aldosterone levels.
Cascella
Teresa
T
Department of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology, University Federico II of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Palomba
Stefano
S
Tauchmanovà
Libuse
L
Manguso
Francesco
F
Di Biase
Sebastiano
S
Labella
Donato
D
Giallauria
Francesco
F
Vigorito
Carlo
C
Colao
Annamaria
A
Lombardi
Gaetano
G
Orio
Francesco
F
D000328:Adult; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015984:Causality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D000450:Aldosterone