title: Plasma ghrelin concentrations in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome before and after 6months therapy: correlation with androgen levels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ghrelin is a natural ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor and has been shown to be a potent stimulant of GH secretion. It has also orexigenic effects and regulates energy homeostasis. Recent studies claim that ghrelin influences the androgen level and probably takes part in PCOS pathomechanism. The aim of the study was an assessment of ghrelin level in plasma in women with PCOS before and after the treatment and ghrelin's influence on androgen level change.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 25 women with the diagnosed PCOS (mean age 25.3+/-4.05 yr). The tests were done twice: before the treatment and after 6-month therapy with Diane 35 (cyproterone acetate 2 mg with ethinylestradiol 35 mug). Following hormones were measured: ghrelin, free testosterone, androstendione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, 17-OH-progesterone and estradiol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The received results in both groups were compared with the control group (11 healthy women, mean age 26.0+/-2.6 yr). No statistically significant differences in ghrelin levels before (187.8+/-8.1 fmol/ml) and after the therapy (185.6+/-9.5 fmol/ml) were found. Similar results were received when two groups of women compared with the control (186.5+/-8.7 fmol/ml). No correlations between ghrelin and androgen levels were confirmed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Final conclusion is that there is no direct impact of ghrelin level on PCOS pathogenesis, however, its role in development of obesity, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance co-occurring with metabolic disorders syndrome cannot be excluded.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland. bkoskudla@slam.katowice.pl
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kos-Kudła
authors.forename: Oliwia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Małecka-Mikosz
authors.forename: Wanda
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Foltyn
authors.forename: Zofia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ostrowska
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kudła
authors.forename: Bogdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mazur
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000097:blood; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin; D006801:Humans; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000728:Androgens; D004338:Drug Combinations; D054439:Ghrelin; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate; C032640:Cyproterone acetate, ethinyl estradiol drug combination