title: Effects of ethinyl estradiol-cyproterone acetate treatment on metabolic syndrome, fat distribution and carotid intima media thickness in polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of ethinyl estradiol-cyproterone acetate (EE-CA) treatment on metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors, and body fat distribution in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) after 6-month treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty women with PCOS were evaluated before and after 6 months of EE-CA treatment. Anthropometrical measurements, hormonal levels, lipid and glucose profile were evaluated. Body fat thickness in four regions and carotid intima media thickness (IMT) were measured. Interval change in antropometric measurements, glucose and lipid profile, carotid IMT and body fat distribution was evaluated before and after 6-month EE-CA treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ferriman-Gallwey score and serum testosterone levels were significantly decreased after EE-CA treatment (p < 0.01). No significant effect was detected on insulin resistance, lipid profile and carotid artery IMT. The visceral, subcutaneous and preperitoneal fat thicknesses decreased, and mid-thigh fat thickness increased after treatment period. However, only the alteration in subcutaneous fat thickness achieved a statistical significance (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The EE-CA is an effective regimen in treatment of hirsutism and menstrual regulation. Although it provides significant decrease in subcutaneous fat thickness after 6-month treatment, it has no beneficial effect with respect to visceral fat thickness, metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Radiology, Denizli State Hospital, Denizli, Turkey. aysunkarabulut@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Aysun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karabulut
authors.forename: Semra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Demirlenk
authors.forename: Osman
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sevket
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity / Q000187:drug effects*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D004338:Drug Combinations; D013739:Testosterone; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D017373:Cyproterone Acetate; C032640:Cyproterone acetate, ethinyl estradiol drug combination