Pressure pain threshold and β-endorphins plasma level are higher in lean polycystic ovary syndrome women.
BACKGROUND
Despite some evidence that indicates that the evolution of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is related to the activity of the endogenous opioid system, and that concentration of plasma β-endorphin levels can increase pain threshold, there are no studies which evaluate pressure pain threshold in the PCOS women population.


METHODS
In 48 lean women with PCOS and 38 lean women without this disorder plasma β-endorphins and PPT were measured.


RESULTS
The β-endorphins level was higher in the PCOS group compared to the controls (15.28±2.49 pg/mL vs. 6.33±1.71 pg/mL, P<0.001). In PCOS group PPTs measured on deltoid and trapezius muscles were higher compared to the controls (9.33±1.3 kg/cm² vs. 5.19±0.57 kg/cm², P<0.001; 8.23±1.04 kg/cm² vs. 4.79±0.55 kg/cm², P<0.001). The β-endorphin levels positively correlated with PPTs in PCOS group. Increase in β-endorphin level of 1 pg/mL was associated with increase of PPT value on deltoid muscle of 0.23 kg/cm² (R=0.632, P=0.011) and of 0.18 kg/cm² on trapezius muscle (R=0.588, P=0.037). There were no correlations between testosterone level and PPT in PCOS group.


CONCLUSIONS
β-endorphin serum level as well as PPT are higher in lean PCOS group than in controls. We found correlations between β-endorphin levels and PPT in the PCOS group. It may suggest the role of endogenous opioids in the pathogenesis of PCOS and also that the increases in circulating plasma β-endorphins concentration can increases PPT in this group.
Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland - marta.kialka@poczta.fm.
Marta
M
Kiałka
Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland.
Tomasz
T
Milewicz
Department of Metabolic Diseases, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland.
Sandra
S
Mrozińska
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland.
Iwona
I
Rogatko
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland.
Krystyna
K
Sztefko
Unit of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Department of Epidemiology, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland.
Renata
R
Majewska
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000187:drug effects*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
D001615:beta-Endorphin