Endocrine Abstracts

Spironolactone (Sp) is an aldosterone-antagonist diuretic, that is traditionally used in the treatment of hirsutism due to its antiandrogenic effects. Sp can inhibit ovarian and adrenal biosynthesis of androgens, compete for the androgen receptor in the hair follicle, and directly inhibit 5alpha-reductase activity. The steroid suppressive effects are so variable that the receptor-blocking action is considered the most important mechanism. It is probable for this reason that co...

Over a third of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) display glucose intolerance and multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including central obesity. Interleukin-6, a cytokine that is mainly derived from adipose tissue, has recently been implicated as an important link in the development of cardiovascular disease in obesity. We determined the relations between circulating Interleukin-6 levels and anthropometric, metabolic and hormonal parameters in 38 wome...

The excess androgen levels in women with PCOS may be ovarian and/or adrenal in origin and one proposed contributing mechanism is an alteration in cortisol metabolism. Increased peripheral cortisol metabolism, either by enhanced inactivation of cortisol by 5alpha-reductase or impaired reactivation of cortisol by 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11bHSD type 1), results in decreased negative feedback suppression of ACTH secretion maintaining normal plasma cortisol concentrations...

Metformin has gained a reputation as an effective fertility treatment in PCOS. Most publications use ovulation rate as the main outcome measure and few quote pregnancy rates. We have audited the first 39 patients with PCOS treated with Metformin in our Reproductive Unit. In this practice, as opposed to a research setting, there were often multiple factors contributing to infertility and they were usually proven resistant to other forms of treatment.In t...