[Lipoprotein lipids in polycystic ovarian syndrome: independent associations with androgen excess and insulin resistance].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between androgen excess, insulin resistance and altered lipoprotein lipids in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS

Both basal and luternizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH, 100 micrograms) induced responses of circulating testosterone (T), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and apoprotein A1 (apo A1) were measured in two PCOS groups with similar T levels (LH/FSH > or = 3, Group 1, n = 15, LH/FSH < 3, Group 2, n = 15) and the control (n = 20) of matched body mass index with Group 1. Insulin resistance was assessed by fasting insulin levels.

RESULTS

In basal state, the mean TG levels in women of three groups were as follows: Group 2 > Group 1 > control, while HDL-C showed the opposite. After LHRH test, mean T and TG concentrations increased and HDL-C decreased in all PCOS subjects, especially Group 2 whereas the indices remained unchanged in the controls.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that altered lipid profiles in women with PCOS may result from the independent effects of androgen excess and insulin resistance.