Association of Serum Adiponectin Levels with Insulin Resistance in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
- Author:
Young Sun HONG
1
;
Jee Young OH
;
Eun Kyung BYUN
;
Yeon Ah SUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Polycystic ovary syndrome;
Adiponectin;
Insulin sensitivity;
Adiposity
- MeSH:
Adiponectin*;
Adiposity;
Fasting;
Female;
Glucose;
Humans;
Insulin Resistance*;
Insulin*;
Intra-Abdominal Fat;
Obesity;
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome*
- From:Journal of Korean Society of Endocrinology
2004;19(4):369-378
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is known to be associated with obesity and insulin resistance. The exact mechanism of insulin resistance in PCOS is not completely understood, but there are several pieces of evidence suggesting humoral mediator involvement. Adiponectin, an adipocyte-secreted protein, could be a possible link between adiposity and insulin resistance. This study was performed to see whether the serum adiponectin levels are suppressed in woman with PCOS and if this is associated with the characteristic hormonal and metabolic features of PCOS. METHODS: 20 women with PCOS and 8 normal controls with regular cycles were recruited. The serum adiponectin levels were measured by RIA, and the fasting glucose to insulin ratio (GIR) used as an insulin sensitivity index. RESULTS: The patients with PCOS were classified as lean (BMI < 23 kg/m2, n=9) and obese groups (BMI 25 kg/m2, n=11) based on the WPRO criteria. The GIR was significantly lower in the obese compared to the control group. The adiponectin level was lower in women with PCOS than the controls, but without statistical significance. In 5 of the 20 patients, the GIR was higher than 0.30, which was the lowest limit in the controls, and the adiponectin level was significantly higher than in those patients with a lower GIR. The adiponectin level was significantly correlated with the BMI, subcutaneous and visceral fat areas, post challenge 2 hr glucose, fasting insulin, GIR and SHBG. After adjustment for BMI, adiponectin was significantly correlated with the GIR in all subjects, including the controls. CONCLUSION: The serum adiponectin level was associated with and related to adiposity in women with PCOS; however, adiponectin might be associated with insulin resistance independently from adiposity
