title: Proinsulin, adiponectin and hsCRP in reproductive age women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)--the effect of metformin treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often suffer from obesity and insulin resistance. The role of proinsulin, which is known to be an indicator of fertility outcomes in PCOS women, and that of adiponectin, in the pathogenesis of PCOS is not well elucidated. Our objective was to determine proinsulin, adiponectin, hsCRP and other hormonal and metabolic parameters in PCOS women before and after metformin treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two PCOS groups of patients of reproductive age (90 lean and 88 obese or overweight) with two control groups, adjusted for body mass index (BMI), were compared at baseline. 32 PCOS women were studied at baseline, after three and six months of metformin (1,000 mg/day) treatment. Clinical, anthropometric, biochemical and hormonal parameters were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Proinsulin and hsCRP levels were the highest in obese PCOS women and were statistically different than in lean PCOS women (proinsulin: 11.4 v. 6.9 pmol/L; hsCRP 2.46 v. 0.47 mg/L, p < 0.01) and than in obese controls. Levels of adiponectin were dependant on BMI. Plasma proinsulin and androstenedione levels decreased after metformin treatment only in obese PCOS women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PCOS, when accompanied by obesity, is associated with elevated proinsulin concentrations, which correlates with higher hsCRP and increased FAI. Proinsulin level decreases due to metformin treatment. Our results suggest that obese or overweight PCOS and lean PCOS are characterised by different hormonal and metabolic parameters and have a different response to metformin treatment.
authors.affiliation: ak@cmkp.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kruszyńska
authors.forename: Jadwiga
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Słowińska-Srzednicka
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jeske
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zgliczyński
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011384:Proinsulin / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D011384:Proinsulin; D008687:Metformin