title: Longitudinal analyses of the steroid metabolome in obese PCOS girls with weight loss.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The underlying mechanisms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are not fully understood yet. The aim of the study was to get functional insights into the regulation of steroid hormones in PCOS by steroid metabolomics.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a longitudinal study of changes of steroid hormones in 40 obese girls aged 13-16 years (50% with PCOS) participating in a 1-year lifestyle intervention. Girls with and without PCOS were matched to age, BMI and change of weight status.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, 17-hydroxyprogenolon, 11-deoxycorticosterone, 21-deoxycorticosterone, deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, cortisol, cortisone, androstenedione, testosterone, dehydroepiandrostendione-sulfate (DHEA-S), estrone and estradiol by LC-MS/MS steroid profiling at baseline and one year later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At baseline, obese PCOS girls demonstrated significantly higher androstenedione and testosterone concentrations compared to obese girls without PCOS, whereas the other steroid hormones including glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, estrogens and precursors of androgens did not differ significantly. Weight loss in obese PCOS girls was associated with a significant decrease of testosterone, androstenedione, DHEA-S, cortisol and corticosterone concentrations. Weight loss in obese non-PCOS girls was associated with a significant decrease of DHEA-S, cortisol and corticosterone concentrations, whereas no significant changes of testosterone and androstenedione concentrations could be observed. Without weight loss, no significant changes of steroid hormones were measured except an increase of estradiol in obese PCOS girls without weight loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The key steroid hormones in obese adolescents with PCOS are androstenedione and testosterone, whereas glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, estrogens and precursors of androgens did not differ between obese girls with and without PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric EndocrinologyDiabetes, and Nutrition Medicine, Vestische Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Witten/Herdecke, Datteln, Germany T.Reinehr@kinderklinik-datteln.de.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Reinehr
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and DiabetesDepartment of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Schleswig - Holstein, UKSH, Campus Kiel/Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, CAU, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kulle
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric EndocrinologyDiabetes, and Nutrition Medicine, Vestische Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Witten/Herdecke, Datteln, Germany.
authors.forename: Juliane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rothermel
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric EndocrinologyDiabetes, and Nutrition Medicine, Vestische Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Witten/Herdecke, Datteln, Germany.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Knop-Schmenn
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric EndocrinologyDiabetes, and Nutrition Medicine, Vestische Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Witten/Herdecke, Datteln, Germany.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lass
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric EndocrinologyDiabetes, and Nutrition Medicine, Vestische Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Witten/Herdecke, Datteln, Germany.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bosse
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and DiabetesDepartment of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Schleswig - Holstein, UKSH, Campus Kiel/Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, CAU, Kiel, Germany.
authors.forename: Paul-Martin
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Holterhus
keywords: androgens; glucocorticoids; lifestyle intervention; mineralocorticoids; obesity; polycystic ovarian syndrome