Endocannabinoid system activation may be associated with insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the levels of endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors (CB) 1 and 2 in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
University teaching hospital.


METHODS
In total, 20 women with PCOS and 20 healthy women in a control group, who were matched for body mass index and age, were enrolled in this study.


METHODS
The homeostasis model index was used to assess insulin resistance.


METHODS
Omental adipose tissue and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from PCOS and the controls were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reactions for the expressions of CB1 and CB2. The levels of endocannabinoids were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography.


RESULTS
The levels of anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, and the expression of CB1 and CB2 mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) in the PBMCs were significantly higher in the women with PCOS than in the women serving as controls. We found that expression of CB1, but not CB2, in adipose tissue was significantly higher in the women with, vs. without, PCOS. The expressions of CB1 mRNA and endocannabinoids showed a significant positive correlation with 2-hour glucose and insulin levels 2 hours after glucose loading in the PBMCs and adipose tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
Activation of endocannabinoids and overexpression of cannabinoid receptors, especially CB1, may be associated with insulin resistance in women with PCOS.
Institute of Physiology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research and Education, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chi-Chang
CC
Juan
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Tzu-Chi Hospital, The Buddhist Tzu-Chi Medical Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Buddhist Tzu-Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.
Kuo-Hu
KH
Chen
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Peng-Hui
PH
Wang
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Jiann-Loung
JL
Hwang
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: m002249@ms.skh.org.tw.
Kok-Min
KM
Seow
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005989:Glycerides / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides / Q000097:blood; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D015415:Biomarkers; C588309:CNR2 protein, human; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005989:Glycerides; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2; C094503:glyceryl 2-arachidonate; C078814:anandamide
Endocannabinoids; adipose tissue; cannabinoid receptor; human peripheral blood mononuclear cells