Metformin administration improves leukocyte count in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a 6-month prospective study.
BACKGROUND
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder associated with a wide range of endocrine and metabolic abnormalities. Low-grade chronic inflammation is a related complication recently observed in PCOS. Increased white blood cell (WBC) count was previously reported in PCOS women.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of six months metformin administration on WBC count in PCOS women.


METHODS
Fifty normal-weight PCOS women without additional metabolic or cardiovascular diseases were enrolled and treated with metformin (850 mg twice daily) for 6 months in a prospective baseline-controlled clinical study. At baseline and after treatment, WBC count and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated in each patient. The whole hormonal profile, serum insulin and glucose levels (at fasting and during a 75 g 2-h oral glucose tolerance test), serum lipid profile were also assessed.


RESULTS
A significant difference was observed in WBC count (7050 +/- 552 vs 6080 +/- 577 cell/mm(3) +/- s.d., P<0.001) and CRP levels (1.8 +/- 0.9 vs 1.1 +/- 0.6 mg/l +/- s.d., P<0.001) after metformin treatment in comparison with baseline values. SHBG levels and the free androgen index also changed significantly (P<0.001). Finally, high-density lipoproteins and the area under curve for glucose/area under curve for insulin ratio also significantly increased (P<0.001), whereas low-density lipoproteins and area under curve for insulin were significantly reduced (P<0.001). No other change was found in any of the biochemical parameters evaluated.


CONCLUSIONS
A six-month course of metformin reduces WBC count in PCOS women.
Orio
Francesco
F
Department of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology, University Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. francescoorio@virgilio.it
Manguso
Francesco
F
Di Biase
Sebastiano
S
Falbo
Angela
A
Giallauria
Francesco
F
Labella
Donato
D
Tolino
Achille
A
Lombardi
Gaetano
G
Colao
Annamaria
A
Palomba
Stefano
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008687:Metformin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D008687:Metformin