Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in females of reproductive age. It is frequently associated with metabolic disturbances and insulin resistance, that occurs in about 50–70%. Evidences were reported about the association between vitamin D and osteocalcin with cardiovascular risk factors, regulation of insulin secretion and sensitivity.

Objectives: Evaluation of the association between of low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) and serum osteocalcin levels and the components of metabolic syndrome (MS) in women with PCOS in Al-Baha region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

Methods: Sixty patients with PCOS were chosen from the attendants of the Endocrinology out-patient clinic in KFH at Al-Baha, KSA. Standard metabolic, endocrine, and anthropometric measurements were evaluated for all patients, including 25(OH) D and osteocalcin levels and oral glucose tolerance tests

Results: The prevalence of 25(OH) D deficiency <30 ng/ml was 60%. Seventeen patients (28%) showed association between MS and PCOS. Patients with MS had significantly lower level of serum 25(OH) D, osteocalcin, and CRP (P<0.0001). Patients with low serum 25(OH) D, had significantly higher age, weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference (WHR), and systolic blood pressure (SBP), 1-h glucose, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting insulin, triglycerides, and CRP. They had significantly lower levels of HOMA-β, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and HDL cholesterol (P<0.00 for all). Ostecalcin levels had significantly negative correlation with SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), CRP, BMI, fasting and 1-h glucose, triglycerides and HOMA-IR (P<0.00, 0.01, 0.003, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.00, and 0.000 respectively). It has significant positive correlation with QUICKI, and HDL. In multivariate regression analysis, 25(OH) D was an independent predictors of HOMA-IR and QUICKI (P<0.05). Fasting insulin, SBP, and HDL were significant and independent predictors of serum osteocalcin.

Conclusions: Low levels of 25(OH) D and osteocalcin were associated with the features of MS in PCOS women. Large intervention trials are warranted to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation in these cases.

Key words: 25(OH) D, osteocalcin, MS, PCOS.