Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is common with a suggested prevalence of 6–7% in Caucasian women of reproductive age. The presence of cardiovascular risk factors of obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia may predispose women with PCOS to coronary heart disease, although this remains controversial. This study aimed to contrast and compare the changes in lipid profile and hs-CRP following treatment with metformin, orlistat and pioglitazone in women with ...

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are both associated with the metabolic syndrome and are each associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Endothelial function, an early feature in the development of atherosclerosis, has been shown to be abnormal in both PCOS and NAFLD.The aim of this study was to determine if NAFLD conferred additional cardiovascular risk compared to PCOS alone.<p class="ab...

Background: Obesity is associated with increased insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and increased cardiovascular risk leading to atherosclerosis. Bariatric surgery has been shown to improve some of these factors in obese patients with glucose intolerance. A form of bariatric surgery is the Roux-en-Y procedure which can result in greater weight loss and restriction with less malabsorption than other procedures (such as the bilious-pancreatic diversion); but the effect of some ...

Background: The insulin stress test (IST) is accepted as the gold standard investigation of the hypothalamio-pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA). The short synacthen test (SST) has been advocated as an alternative to the IST. Fatigue can be a common presenting symptom of patients suffering from abnormalities in the HPA axis.Methods: We audited the results of ISTs following failed SSTs for the assessment of patients who present with symptoms of fatigue. We ...

Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that carries an increased risk of liver cirrhosis. The Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) score comprises serum hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen III N-terminal peptide (PIIINP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP1) that correlate with hepatic fibrosis staging.Objective: To determine the effect of vitamin D suppleme...

Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that carries an increased risk of liver cirrhosis. The Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) score comprises serum hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen III N-terminal peptide (PIIINP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP1) that correlate with hepatic fibrosis staging.Objective: To determine the effect of vitamin D suppleme...

Context: There is growing evidence that cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB-1) blockade reduces inflammation and neovascularization by decreasing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels associated with a reduction in inflammatory markers, thereby potentially reducing cardiovascular risk.Objective: To determine the impact of CB1 antagonism by rimonabant on VEGF and inflammatory markers in obese PCOS women.Design: Randomised, open-la...

Background: Vitamin D deficiency has become the most common nutritional deficiency throughout the world. 67–85% of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) patients have low serum levels of Vitamin D. Studies have reported conflicting data as to whether or not Vitamin D may play a role in human reproduction. The objective of this prospective cohort study was to investigate what effect vitamin D had on parameters within an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycle in a populatio...

Objective: Androsterone glucuronide (ADTG) concentrations have been suggested as a more reliable marker of the effects of androgens at the target tissue level and they are significantly elevated in hirsute compared to non-hirsute women with PCOS. This study compared the different precursors of testosterone, including dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), ADTG and androstenedione in non-obese compared to obese women with PCOS, and in normal subjects and their implications on...

Background: Endocrine Disrupting Agents (EDAs) are external substances that have the potential to interfere with the natural endocrine pathways such as the reproductive axis. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine condition resulting in, hyperinsulinaemia, hyperandrogenaemia and subfertility. This study was conducted to see whether there was any association between EDAs and PCOS.Methods: Blood samples were collected from 59 women (29 PCOS...