Clinical, endocrine, and metabolic effects of acarbose, a alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, in overweight and nonoverweight patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical, endocrine, and metabolic effects of acarbose use in overweight and nonoverweight patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Prospective analysis.


METHODS
Gynecology and infertility clinic of a tertiary care medical center.


METHODS
Seventy-four patients with PCOS and 30 healthy women.


METHODS
Acarbose use.


METHODS
Clinical findings of hyperandrogenism, body mass indices, LH, FSH, DHEAS, total T, PRL, basal insulin, fasting glucose/insulin levels, and lipid profiles.


RESULTS
Acarbose treatment improved LH/FSH levels, decreased total T, DHEAS, basal insulin, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels, and increased high-density lipoprotein levels in patients with PCOS. Basal insulin and fasting glucose/insulin levels reacted more significantly in overweight patients undergoing acarbose treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Acarbose has been found to improve insulin levels and thus glucose/insulin ratios more effectively in overweight patients compared with nonoverweight patients with PCOS. This drug seems to be an effective drug to be used in overweight as well as nonoverweight patients with PCOS.
Tuğrul
Semih
S
Zeynep Kamil Women's and Children's Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Kutlu
Tayfun
T
Pekin
Oya
O
Bağlam
Elif
E
Kiyak
Hüseyin
H
Oral
Ozay
O
D020909:Acarbose / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D020909:Acarbose