title: The correlation of plasma homocysteine with insulin  resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to investigate the existence of any relationship between homocysteine levels and insulin resistance in Turkish women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-controlled, cross-sectional, observational study was undertaken in a total of 94 infertile Turkish women who required professional help in the Department of Infertility of Dr Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Research and Education Hospital. The correlation between serum homocysteine with age, body mass index, hormone profile, fasting insulin and glucose concentrations and insulin resistance were examined in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and the results were compared to those of women with normal ovaries, who served as a control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean serum fasting glucose and insulin levels, thus insulin resistance index of women with polycystic ovary syndrome, were significantly higher than those of the control subjects. The mean serum homocysteine levels were significantly higher in women with polycystic ovary syndrome than those in the control group. A positive correlation was detected between the mean homocysteine, the insulin resistance index determined by homeostasis model assessment and the fasting insulin levels in polycystic ovary syndrome patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum homocysteine levels are elevated in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, and this elevation is associated with the serum insulin level rather than androgen excess. The intense treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia in women with polycystic ovary syndrome might improve reproductive outcome and contribute to protection from cardiovascular risks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infertility, Dr Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Research and Education Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. nafiyekarakas@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Nafiye
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: Mine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pektas
authors.forename: Esra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tonguc
authors.forename: Sevtap
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kilic
authors.forename: Cavidan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gulerman
authors.forename: Tayfun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gungor
authors.forename: Leyla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mollamahmutoglu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D006710:Homocysteine