[Hyperinsulinism and insulin resistance in the polycystic ovary syndrome as tested with tolbutamide].

The aim of this research was to study both insulin secretion and insulin resistance index (IRI) in seventeen females, aged 16-30, affected by polycystic ovarian syndrome. The diagnosis was made using clinical, hormonal, radiological and echographic criteria. Eight healthy women, carefully matched with our patients for age and for statistical obesity incidence, were studied as controls. Both glycemic and insulinemic curves, areas, insulinemic/glycemic area ratio (IRI) were studied by tolbutamide test (1 g i.v.). Areas were assessed by planimeter, blood glucose by Trinder method, blood insulin by a RIA method, statistical study by t Student test and correlation coefficients. These latter were determined by comparing individual plasma testosterone, FSH, LH and LH/FSH ratio values together with urinary total 17-ketosteroid and delta HEA output values on the one hand and insulin areas and IRI values on the other. Increased glycemic areas, insulinemic peaks and areas, associated with markedly increased IRI values, were observed in the patients. A correlation exists between hyperinsulinism, insulin resistance on the one hand and increased urinary androgens output on the other. delta HEA resulted particularly increased over other androgenic fractions.