title: The role of serum adiponectin levels in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to measure serum adiponectin concentrations in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and to assess possible correlations between adiponectin and the hormonal or metabolic parameters of this syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum adiponectin levels were evaluated in 20 women with PCOS and 22 women without PCOS whose age and body mass index (BMI) matched the patients. The levels of fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, gonadotropin, and sex steroid hormones were evaluated in both groups. The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score was also calculated. The serum adiponectin levels were assayed by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower in obese women than in normal-weight women, and they were also significantly lower in PCOS patients with HOMA scores greater than 1.7 compared with those with HOMA scores lower than 1.7. When the subjects were divided in two groups based on serum adiponectin levels (> 40 microg/ml, < 40 microg/ml), 65% of patients with PCOS were included in the lower adiponectin group (p < 0.05). In addition, gonadotropin levels were increased, dependent on the adiponectin levels in women with PCOS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adiponectin is regarded as a possible link between adiposity and insulin resistance (IR). From this data, the secretions of gonadotropin are implicated in the levels of adiponectin in women with PCOS. It is suggested that adiponectin may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Yufiu, Oita, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Itoh
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Yufiu, Oita, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawano
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Yufiu, Oita, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Furukawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Yufiu, Oita, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Yufiu, Oita, Japan.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yuge
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Yufiu, Oita, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Narahara
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone