Preliminary data on effects of metformin on PED/PEA-15 cellular levels in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
BACKGROUND
The cellular abundance of the phosphoprotein enriched in diabetes (PED/PEA-15), a 15 kDa protein related to insulin resistance (IR), is increased in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether metformin (MET) has additive effects on PED/PEA-15 protein levels.


METHODS
This is an open label, prospective clinical study over 6 months. Ten hyperandrogenic obese PCOS women [age: 24.6+/-1.6 yr; body mass index (BMI): 30.7+/-1.2 kg/m(2)] were treated with MET (1250 mg/day). Ten age- and BMI-matched normo-androgenic women were used as controls. Outcome measures are: PED/PEA-15 protein levels, fasting plasma glucose and insulin (FPI), reciprocal index of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (1/HOMA-IR); quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI); wholebody insulin sensitivity index (ISI); SHBG; total testosterone; free androgen index (FAI).


RESULTS
At baseline FPI and PED/PEA- 15 protein levels were higher, while 1/HOMA-IR, QUICKI, and ISI were lower (p<0.001) in MET group than in controls. After treatment, independently of body weight and hyperandrogenism, FPI, and PED/PEA-15 protein levels decreased (p=0.001 and 0.004, respectively), while, 1/HOMA-IR, QUICKI, and ISI increased (p<0.001). PED/PEA-15 protein levels correlated significantly with ISI either before (r=0.636; p=0.048), and after treatment (r=0.758; p=0.011).


CONCLUSIONS
PED/PEA-15 protein levels reduced after a short course of treatment with MET in a group hyperandrogenic obese PCOS women. This effect was independent of body weight and hyperandrogenism, and correlated with ISI, thus adding a further benefit to obese PCOS women.
Savastano
S
S
Division of Endocrinology, Department of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology, University Federico II of Naples, via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. sisavast@unina.it
Valentino
R
R
Pizza
G
G
De Rosa
A
A
Orio
F
F
Passaretti
F
F
Formisano
P
P
Lombardi
G
G
Beguinot
F
F
Colao
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism
D000728:Androgens; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C092039:PEA15 protein, human; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D008687:Metformin