[Study on the relationship between serum adiponectin and insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome].

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between serum adiponectin and insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS

Forty women with PCOS and twenty five healthy women were divided into PCOS obese group [body weight index (BMI) > or = 25kg/m(2)], PCOS non-obese group (BMI < 25 kg/m(2)) and control group. There are 19 cases in PCOS obese group and 21 cases in PCOS non-obese group, 9 cases in obese control group and 16 in non-obese control group. Serum adiponectin levels of the four groups were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, insulin by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method, blood sugar by glucose oxidation enzyme method, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) by radioimmunoassay. Insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was calculated.

RESULTS

(1) Serum adiponectin levels of PCOS obese group was (1.6 +/- 0.5) mg/L, of PCOS non-obese group was (3.0 +/- 0.6) mg/L. Their values were lower than obese control group (3.2 +/- 0.3) mg/L, and non-obese control group (4.9 +/- 0.5) mg/L (P < 0.05). (2) Fasting insulin levels of PCOS obese group was (17 +/- 6) mU/L, PCOS non-obese group was (14 +/- 6) mU/L. They were higher than obese control group (10 +/- 3) mU/L, and non-obese control group (7 +/- 3) mU/L (P < 0.05). (3) Fasting blood sugar level was (5.2 +/- 0.7) mmol/L in PCOS obese group, in PCOS non-obese group was (5.1 +/- 0.6) mmol/L, in obese control group was (5.4 +/- 0.5) mmol/L, and non-obese control group (4.8 +/- 0.6) mmol/L, without marked difference among four groups. (4) TNF-alpha levels of PCOS obese group was (1.32 +/- 0.14) microg/L, of PCOS non-obese group was (1.02 +/- 0.12) microg/L. They were higher than obese control group (0.93 +/- 0.15) microg/L, and non-obese control group (0.63 +/- 0.18) microg/L (P < 0.05). (5) ISI of PCOS obese group was -4.5 +/- 0.3, PCOS non-obese group was -4.1 +/- 0.4. Their values were lower than obese control group -3.6 +/- 0.3, and non-obese control group (-3.1 +/- 0.4) (P < 0.05). Serum adiponectin levels of the women with PCOS were correlated negatively with BMI (r = -0.56, P < 0.05), and correlated positively with ISI (r = 0.49, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Serum adiponectin levels of women with PCOS is decreased compared with healthy women, particularly in obese women with PCOS. The decrease is correlated with ISI.