title: Insulin sensitizers in polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: From the conceptual point of view, there are several reasons to expect that improvement of insulin sensitivity may produce several benefits in the treatment of a complex disorder like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), including a decrease in insulin and androgen levels, improvement of metabolic comorbidities, and, finally, improved ovulation and fertility. This can be achieved with the help of specific agents, particularly metformin and thiazolidinediones. They may ease the suffering of women with PCOS because insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia appear to be major contributors to the pathophysiology of the syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical Medicine, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University Alma Mater Studiorum, IT-40138 Bologna, Italy. renato.pasquali@unibo.it
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pasquali
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gambineri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000188:drug therapy; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000188:drug therapy; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D008019:Life Style; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D008687:Metformin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000187:drug effects; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D047495:PPAR gamma; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D002996:Clomiphene; D008687:Metformin