title: Metformin improves endothelial function and carotid intima media thickness in patients with PCOS.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Oral contraceptive pills (OCP) are widely used for treating women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Metformin has beneficial effects on insulin resistance and endothelial functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of treatment with drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol (EE) alone or in combination with metformin on the flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in women with PCOS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty women with PCOS (mean age 23 ± 5) were randomized to oral treatment of OCP alone (n = 25) or an OCP combination with metformin (n = 25) for 6 months. FMD from the brachial artery and CIMT were calculated. The hormonal profile, HOMA-IR score, basal insulin and glucose levels were studied in both groups. Before and after 6 months' treatment, echocardiographic measurements and laboratory tests were also obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 6 months' treatment we observed a small decrease in FMD in the OCP group (14.9 ± 9.4 versus 14.4 ± 9.9, p = 0.801) and a slight increase in the combination group (14.5 ± 9.1 versus 15.0 ± 8.0, p = 0.715) but neither of them reached significance. CIMT increased in the OCP group (0.048 ± 0.011 to 0.050 ± 0.010 cm, p = 0.433) and decreased slightly in the combination group (0.049 ± 0.012, 0.048 ± 0.011 cm, p = 0.833).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We demonstrated that adding metformin to OCP treatment may have beneficial effect on FMD and CIMT that represent vascular function in patients with PCOS. These results suggest that adding metformin to OCP treatment for PCOS could preserve the cardiovascular system and improve it.
authors: Department of Cardiology and.
authors: Mehmet Gungor
authors: MG
authors: Kaya
authors: Sumeyra
authors: S
authors: Yildirim
authors: Bekir
authors: B
authors: Calapkorur
authors: Mahmut
authors: M
authors: Akpek
authors: Kursad
authors: K
authors: Unluhizarci
authors: Fahrettin
authors: F
authors: Kelestimur
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000736:Androstenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014664:Vasodilation; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000736:Androstenes; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; C534342:drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol combination; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D008687:Metformin
keywords: Carotid intima media thickness; flow-mediated vasodilatation; metformin; oral contraceptive pills; polycystic ovary syndrome