title: Evaluation of Apelin and Insulin Resistance in Patients with PCOS and Therapeutic Effect of Drospirenone-Ethinylestradiol Plus Metformin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to determine the relevance of apelin and insulin resistance (IR) with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to assess the possible therapeutic effect of the combined therapy of drospirenone-ethinylestradiol (DRSP-EE) combined with metformin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-three PCOS patients and 40 non-PCOS infertile patients were recruited. The fasting serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), prolactin (PRL), estradiol (E2), glucose (FBG), insulin (FINS), and apelin at the early follicular phase were measured. To further investigate the relation between apelin and IR, we treated the PCOS patients with DRSP-EE (1 tablet daily, 21 d/month) plus metformin (500 mg tid) for 3 months. All of the above indices were measured again after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  1) Levels of apelin, LH, LH/FSH, T, and FINS, as well as homeostatic model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) in PCOS patients, were significantly higher than in the control group before treatment. 2) These indices significantly decreased after treatment with DRSP-EE plus metformin. 3) Correlation analysis showed that apelin level was positively correlated with body mass index (BMI), FINS level, and HOMA-IR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Apelin level significantly increased in PCOS patients. The combined therapy of DRSP-EE plus metformin not only decreases IR, but also improves apelin level. This combination is a superior approach for PCOS treatment.
authors: Department of Physiology, Taishan Medical University, Taian, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors: Xianchang
authors: X
authors: Sun
authors: Department of Gynaecology, The Central Hospital of Taian, Taian, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors: Xingguo
authors: X
authors: Wu
authors: Department of Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Taishan Medical University, Taian, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Zhou
authors: Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Central Hospital of Taian, Taian, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors: Xinyan
authors: X
authors: Yu
authors: Center for Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Taishan Medical University, Taian, Shandong, China (mainland).
authors: Wenjuan
authors: W
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000736:Androstenes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000073861:Apelin; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D008687:Metformin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012102:Reproductive Control Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C115436:APLN protein, human; D000736:Androstenes; D000073861:Apelin; D001786:Blood Glucose; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D012102:Reproductive Control Agents; C534342:drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol combination; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D008687:Metformin