[Responses of somatostatin, beta-endorphin and dynorphin A to A glucose load in two groups of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome].

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationship between elevated luteinizing hormone (LH), hyperinsulinemia and neuropeptides in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS

An oral glucose (100g) tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in 15 normally menstruating women (control) and 30 PCOS women with LH/follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio greater than 3 (group 1) and 25 PCOS subjects with the ratio < 3 (group 2). The responses of insulin, somatostatin (SS), beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and dynorphin A (Dyn A) during OGTT were measured by RIA.

RESULTS

In basal state, significant negative correlations were found between LH and SS (r = -0.51, P < 0.05) in group 1 and between LH and beta-EP (r = -0.49, P < 0.05) in group 2. During OGTT, PCOS women had a greater beta-EP and Dyn A responses in group 1 and an impaired SS response in group 2 as compared with the control.

CONCLUSION

These data suggested lower endogenous SS, higher beta-EP and Dyn A may lead to elevation of LH and insulin secretions in patients with PCOS.