title: Effects of atorvastatin on vascular function, inflammation, and androgens in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: To determine the effects of statins on vascular function, inflammation, and androgen levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), we randomized 20 women with PCOS who had low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels >100 mg/dL to atorvastatin (40 mg/day) or placebo for 6 weeks and found that atorvastatin reduced androgen levels, biomarkers of inflammation, and blood pressure; increased insulin levels and brachial artery conductance during reactive hyperemia; and failed to improve brachial artery flow-mediated dilation. We conclude that until additional studies demonstrate a clear risk-to-benefit ratio favoring statin therapy in PCOS, statins should only be used in women with PCOS who meet current indications for statin treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA. nrajakhan@psu.edu
authors.forename: Nazia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Raja-Khan
authors.forename: Allen R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Kunselman
authors.forename: Cynthia S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Hogeman
authors.forename: Christy M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Stetter
authors.forename: Laurence M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Demers
authors.forename: Richard S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Legro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010919:Placebos; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D010919:Placebos; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin