title: Atorvastatin reduces malondialdehyde concentrations in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been shown that there is an increase in oxidative stress in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Statins are considered to have a pleiotropic effect other than their lipid-lowering effect. These effects may be mediated in part by reducing oxidative stress.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to assess the effect of atorvastatin on serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations as a marker of oxidative stress in patients with PCOS. Forty medication-naïve patients with PCOS were randomized to either atorvastatin 20 mg daily or placebo for 3 months. A 3-month extension study for both groups of patients was undertaken with metformin 1500 mg daily after completing initial 3 months of atorvastatin or placebo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant decrease of MDA concentrations with atorvastatin [mean (sem)] [0.29 (0.04) vs. 0.25 (0.02) μmol/liter; P < 0.01] compared with placebo [0.28 (0.02) vs. 0.29 (0.12) μmol/liter; P = 0.52]. Three months treatment with metformin resulted in further reduction of MDA levels with atorvastatin compared with baseline [0.25 (0.02) baseline vs. 0.23 (0.03) μmol/liter for atorvastatin treated; P = 0.02]. There was also a significant correlation between the reduction in MDA with a reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (r = 0.71, P < 0.01), an increase in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD; r = -0.68, P = 0.02), and a reduction in testosterone levels (r = 0.63, P = 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed Δ25OHD, ΔC-reactive protein, and Δtestosterone were independent predictors of changes in MDA after atorvastatin treatment. No correlation was observed between the reductions in serum MDA concentrations with changes in the lipid parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Twelve weeks of atorvastatin led to a significant reduction in oxidative stress as determined by MDA concentrations among patients with polycystic ovary syndrome that was independently predicted by changes in testosterone, 25OHD, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.
authors.affiliation: Michael White Diabetes Centre, 220-236 Analby Road, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, HU3 2JZ, United Kingdom. thozhukat.sathyapalan@hyms.ac.uk
authors.forename: Thozhukat
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sathyapalan
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shepherd
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Coady
authors.forename: Eric S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Kilpatrick
authors.forename: Stephen L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Atkin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood*; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D011758:Pyrroles; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D008687:Metformin; D000069059:Atorvastatin