Metformin administration was associated with a modification of LH, prolactin and insulin secretion dynamics in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
AIM. To elucidate the dynamics of FSH, LH, prolactin (PRL), TSH and insulin secretion in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) treated with metformin (MET).


METHODS
In a prospective, controlled and randomised trial, 32 women with PCOS and 32 with normal cycle were recruited to receive MET (850 mg b.i.d.) or placebo (n: 16 for each subgroup) for an average of 40 days. Pituitary function and insulin secretion were assessed before and after intervention by GnRH-TRH tests and oral glucose tolerance test induced insulin response.


RESULTS
Basal and area under the response curve (AURC) LH values were higher in PCOS than in normal controls before MET and declined following treatment in the former group (P < 0.05). Ovulatory PCOS responders had lower basal LH, AURC(LH) and AURC(PRL) values during MET than anovulatory cases (P < 0.05 for all) and AURCins was lower in ovulatory than anovulatory PCOS before and on MET (P < 0.02-P < 0.05), with a rise of QUICKY index in the former group during MET treatment (P < 0.05). FSH and TSH were similar.


CONCLUSIONS
MET administration lowered LH activity in all PCOS women and in ovulatory responders and also compromised PRL stimulated secretion in the latter cases. These findings were indicative of an effect of MET on pituitary activity.
Billa
Evangelia
E
Endocrine Department, Elena Venizelou Hospital, Athens GR-115 21, Greece.
Kapolla
Niki
N
Nicopoulou
Stamatina C
SC
Koukkou
Eftychia
E
Venaki
Evangelia
E
Milingos
Spyros
S
Antsaklis
Aristides
A
Adamopoulos
Dimitrios A
DA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D000858:Anovulation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008687:Metformin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010919:Placebos; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D000728:Androgens; D006728:Hormones; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D010919:Placebos; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D008687:Metformin