title: Neuroendocrine and endocrine dysfunction in the hyperinsulinemic PCOS patient: the role of metformin.
abstract: Metformin is a widely used and extensively studied insulin sensitising drug for the treatment of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), with various actions in tissues responding to insulin that include the liver, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, the endothelium of blood vessels, and the ovaries. Treatment of PCOS women with metformin has been shown to reduce fasting glucose levels, blood pressure, and serum androgens; further effects of metformin in women with PCOS may include direct effects on the central nervous system; and indirect effects via the modification of gut hormone and adipokine synthesis and/or secretion. A number of "novel" adipokines and metabolic factors have been recently identified which may play a role both in the pathogenesis and the treatment of women with PCOS. We here discuss recent advances in the area, with a focus on neuroendocrine and endocrine dysfunctions in women with PCOS and the potential role of metformin in this context.
authors.affiliation: Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK. m.weickert@warwick.ac.uk
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Weickert
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hodges
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Randeva
mesh_terms: D054392:Adipokines / Q000378:metabolism; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000378:metabolism; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000503:physiopathology; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D054392:Adipokines; D000728:Androgens; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D006728:Hormones; D008687:Metformin