Objective: To determine whether the administration of metformin, an insulin-sensitizing agent, is followed by changes in adrenal steroidogenesis in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Design: Prospective trial. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. Patient(s): Fourteen women with PCOS. Intervention(s): Blood samples were obtained before (-15 and 0 minutes) and after (15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes) the administration of ACTH (250 μg). Metformin then was given at a dosage of 500 mg three times a day for 30-32 days, at which time the pretreatment study was repeated. Main Outcome Measure(s): The adrenal androgen responses to ACTH before and after treatment with metformin. Result(s): Ovulation occurred in two women (14%) in response to metformin treatment. A significant reduction in basal concentrations of free testosterone and a significant increase in concentrations of sex hormone- binding globulin were observed. The administration of metformin was associated with a significant reduction in the response of 17α- hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, free testosterone, and androstenedione to ACTH. The ratio of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone to progesterone, which indicates 17α-hydroxylase activity, and the ratio of androstenedione to 17α- hydroxyprogesterone, which indicates 17,20-lyase activity, were significantly lower after a month of metformin treatment, indicating a reduction in the activities of these enzymes. Conclusion(s): The administration of metformin to unselected women with PCOS led to a reduction in the adrenal steroidogenesis response to ACTH. This finding supports the hypothesis that high insulin levels associated with PCOS may cause an increase in plasma levels of adrenal androgens.

Effects of metformin on adrenal steroidogenesis in women with polycystic ovary syndrome / La Marca, Antonio; Morgante, Giuseppe; Paglia, Tiziana; Ciotta, Liliana; Cianci, Antonio; De Leo, Vincenzo. - In: FERTILITY AND STERILITY. - ISSN 0015-0282. - 72:6(1999), pp. 985-989. [10.1016/S0015-0282(99)00407-0]

Effects of metformin on adrenal steroidogenesis in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

La Marca, Antonio;Cianci, Antonio;
1999

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether the administration of metformin, an insulin-sensitizing agent, is followed by changes in adrenal steroidogenesis in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Design: Prospective trial. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. Patient(s): Fourteen women with PCOS. Intervention(s): Blood samples were obtained before (-15 and 0 minutes) and after (15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes) the administration of ACTH (250 μg). Metformin then was given at a dosage of 500 mg three times a day for 30-32 days, at which time the pretreatment study was repeated. Main Outcome Measure(s): The adrenal androgen responses to ACTH before and after treatment with metformin. Result(s): Ovulation occurred in two women (14%) in response to metformin treatment. A significant reduction in basal concentrations of free testosterone and a significant increase in concentrations of sex hormone- binding globulin were observed. The administration of metformin was associated with a significant reduction in the response of 17α- hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, free testosterone, and androstenedione to ACTH. The ratio of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone to progesterone, which indicates 17α-hydroxylase activity, and the ratio of androstenedione to 17α- hydroxyprogesterone, which indicates 17,20-lyase activity, were significantly lower after a month of metformin treatment, indicating a reduction in the activities of these enzymes. Conclusion(s): The administration of metformin to unselected women with PCOS led to a reduction in the adrenal steroidogenesis response to ACTH. This finding supports the hypothesis that high insulin levels associated with PCOS may cause an increase in plasma levels of adrenal androgens.
1999
72
6
985
989
Effects of metformin on adrenal steroidogenesis in women with polycystic ovary syndrome / La Marca, Antonio; Morgante, Giuseppe; Paglia, Tiziana; Ciotta, Liliana; Cianci, Antonio; De Leo, Vincenzo. - In: FERTILITY AND STERILITY. - ISSN 0015-0282. - 72:6(1999), pp. 985-989. [10.1016/S0015-0282(99)00407-0]
La Marca, Antonio; Morgante, Giuseppe; Paglia, Tiziana; Ciotta, Liliana; Cianci, Antonio; De Leo, Vincenzo
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.
Pubblicazioni consigliate

Licenza Creative Commons
I metadati presenti in IRIS UNIMORE sono rilasciati con licenza Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal, mentre i file delle pubblicazioni sono rilasciati con licenza Attribuzione 4.0 Internazionale (CC BY 4.0), salvo diversa indicazione.
In caso di violazione di copyright, contattare Supporto Iris

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11380/1158432
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 8
  • Scopus 101
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 83
social impact