Serum leptin levels correlate with clinical and biochemical indices of insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To compare serum leptin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and healthy subjects, and to evaluate the relationship between leptin concentration and insulin resistance.


METHODS
Forty-five women with PCOS and 20 controls were included in the study. Serum levels of leptin, testosterone, immune-reactive insulin (IRI), sex hormone-binding globulin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, cortisol, LH and FSH were measured. Free androgen index (FAI) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were assessed.


RESULTS
Serum leptin levels in PCOS patients were higher than in the control group independently of BMI, WHR and waist circumference. In PCOS patients there was a strong positive correlation between leptin and IRI (r = 0.592, p < 0.01) on the one hand, and leptin and HOMA-IR, on the other (r = 0.637, p < 0.01). In PCOS patients with more pronounced insulin resistance (IR) the correlation between leptin levels and HOMA-IR is independent of BMI, WHR and waist circumference. We did not find any correlation between leptin and other hormonal indices in PCOS patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study confirms the existence of a significant positive correlation between serum leptin levels and clinical and hormonal indices of IR. The hyperleptinaemia is probably due to leptin resistance and may be characteristic of the syndrome. The lack of correlation with other hormonal parameters is probably due to the heterogeneity of the PCOS group.
Pehlivanov
Blagovest
B
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria. blago1956@yahoo.com
Mitkov
Mitko
M