The correlation of plasma homocysteine with insulin  resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome.
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.
Yilmaz
Nafiye
N
Department of Infertility, Dr Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Research and Education Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. nafiyekarakas@hotmail.com
Pektas
Mine
M
Tonguc
Esra
E
Kilic
Sevtap
S
Gulerman
Cavidan
C
Gungor
Tayfun
T
Mollamahmutoglu
Leyla
L
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
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D006710:Homocysteine