title: Effects of metformin on endocrine, metabolic milieus and endometrial expression of androgen receptor in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate effects of metformin on endocrine, metabolic parameters and endometrial androgen receptor (AR) expression in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed blood samples from 10 PCOS patients, of whom endometrium was also analyzed in five patients. Before and after three months of metformin treatment, endocrine, glucose metabolic parameters and the endometrial AR expressions were assessed. The relative expression levels of AR were examined by immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  METHODS
  The group post-treatment mean of homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) for all patients was significantly lower than the pretreatment. Ovulation was restored in five out of 10 patients. The group post-treatment means of luteinizing hormone (LH) and HOMA-IR for the five ovulatory patients were significantly lower. The relative expression levels of endometrial AR were decreased in four out of the five patients as compared with pretreatment. In the four patients, one or more of the parameters, HOMA-IR, LH or free testosterone, decreased compared with pretreatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Metformin was effective in decreasing HOMA-IR, LH, free testosterone and the relative expression levels of AR. Furthermore, metformin might improve the systemic and local environment of the uterus caused by hyperandrogenemia in PCOS patients with insulin resistance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukushima Medical University , Fukushima , Japan .
authors.forename: Akiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ito-Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Ryota
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Suganuma
authors.forename: Atsuko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumagami
authors.forename: Shigeatsu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.forename: Hiromi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshida-Komiya
authors.forename: Keiya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujimori
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D008687:Metformin
keywords: AR; PCOS; endometrium; insulin resistance; metformin