Hepatic manifestations of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a higher prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) than the general population. The link between NAFLD/NASH and PCOS is not just a coincidence. Indeed, both of these disorders comprise common risk factors, including central obesity, insulin resistance, chronic low-grade inflammation, and hyperandrogenemia. The characteristics of hyperandrogenemia in women with PCOS include elevated total and free testosterone levels and low sex hormone-binding globulin levels and are reported to be associated with NAFLD and elevated liver enzymes; however, not all elevated androgen levels in women with PCOS have the same adverse effects on the liver. With the exception of weight loss and encouraging exercise in obese women, few evidence-based effective treatments target NAFLD/NASH in women with PCOS. Selective antiandrogens and insulin sensitizers might be beneficial in treating NAFLD/NASH in women with PCOS, but further elucidation is needed.
Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Mei-Jou
MJ
Chen
Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: hnho@ntu.edu.tw.
Hong-Nerng
HN
Ho
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000378:metabolism; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017588:Hyperandrogenism / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007249:Inflammation; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D015431:Weight Loss
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D008687:Metformin; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase
androgen; hepatic steatosis; liver enzyme; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; polycystic ovary syndrome