title: Endocrine disruptors and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): elevated serum levels of bisphenol A in women with PCOS.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widespread industrial compound used in the synthesis of polycarbonate plastics. In experimental animals, neonatal exposure to BPA results in a polycystic ovary-like syndrome (PCOS) in adulthood. A bidirectional interaction between androgens and BPA levels has been disclosed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine BPA levels in PCOS women as well as the association between BPA and hormonal/metabolic parameters compared to a control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study of 71 PCOS (National Institutes of Health criteria) and 100 normal women, age- and body mass index-matched, in a University hospital setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anthropometric, hormonal, metabolic parameters and BPA blood levels were determined. Patients (PCOS) and controls (C) were further subdivided according to body mass index into lean and overweight subgroups, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BPA levels were significantly higher in the total PCOS group compared with the controls (1.05±0.56 vs. 0.72±0.37 ng/ml, P < 0.001). PCOS women, lean (PCOS-L) and overweight (PCOS-OW), had higher BPA levels compared to the corresponding control group lean (C-L) and overweight (C-OW): (PCOS-L = 1.13±0.63 vs. C-L = 0.70±0.36, P < 0.001) (PCOS-OW = 0.96 ± 0.46 vs. C-OW = 0.72 ± 0.39, P < 0.05). A significant association of testosterone (r = 0.192, P < 0.05) and androstenedione (r = 0.257, P < 0.05) with BPA was observed. Multiple regression analysis for BPA showed significant correlation with the existence of PCOS (r = 0.497, P < 0.05). BPA was also positively correlated with insulin resistance (Matsuda index) in the PCOS group (r = 0.273, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Higher BPA levels in PCOS women compared to controls and a statistically significant positive association between androgens and BPA point to a potential role of this endocrine disruptor in PCOS pathophysiology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Huddersfield Royal Infirmary Hospital, West Yorkshire HD3 3EA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kandaraki
authors.forename: Antonis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chatzigeorgiou
authors.forename: Sarantis
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Livadas
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Palioura
authors.forename: Frangiscos
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Economou
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koutsilieris
authors.forename: Sotiria
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palimeri
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Panidis
authors.forename: Evanthia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Diamanti-Kandarakis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood; D010636:Phenols / Q000097:blood*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
chemical_list: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D010636:Phenols; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds