Effects of metformin plus simvastatin on polycystic ovary syndrome: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of a combination of simvastatin and metformin on biochemical parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Eighty-four women with PCOS randomly divided to two study groups.


METHODS
Patients were randomly assigned to receive metformin (500 mg three times a day) plus simvastatin (20 mg/day, n=42; group 1) or metformin (500 mg three times a day) plus placebo (once a day, n=42; group 2) for 12 weeks. Blood samples were obtained before and after treatment.


METHODS
Testosterone.


RESULTS
After 12 weeks of treatment, serum T levels decreased by 25.5% in group 1 and by 16.8% in group 2. There was a greater decrease of LH (45.5% vs. 6.7%) and a greater decline of the LH/FSH ratio (38.3% decreased vs. 4.4% increased) in the first group. In group 1 there was a greater decrease of total cholesterol (29.5% vs. 4.2%), low-density lipoprotein (LDL; 18.5% vs. 1.5%), and triglycerides (32% vs. 5.3%). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) increased in the first group by 14%, whereas it decreased by 1% in the second group.


CONCLUSIONS
This report has demonstrated that the combination of metformin and simvastatin could lead to a better reduction of T and LH levels and thus reversing the LH:FSH ratio, lipid profile, and insulin resistance in patients with PCOS and may be an appropriate management option for patients with PCOS.
Kazerooni
Talieh
T
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Shojaei-Baghini
Azam
A
Dehbashi
Sedigheh
S
Asadi
Nasrin
N
Ghaffarpasand
Fariborz
F
Kazerooni
Yasaman
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008687:Metformin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010919:Placebos; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010919:Placebos; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D008687:Metformin; D019821:Simvastatin