Author/Editor     Jensterle, M; Šebeštjen, M; Janež, A; Preželj, J; Kocjan, T; Keber, I; Pfeifer, M
Title     Improvement of endothelial function with metformin and rosiglitazone treatment in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Type     članek
Source     Eur J Endocrinol
Vol. and No.     Letnik 159, št. 4
Publication year     2008
Volume     str. 399-406
Language     eng
Abstract     Objective: There is evidence of preclinical cardiovascular disease even in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The aim of our study was to assess and compare the effects of metformin and rosiglitazone on endothelial function in PCOS patients. Methods: 26 women with PCOS received either metformin or rosiglitazone for 6 months. Blood samples for assessment of androgens, lipids and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were taken at baseline and at endpoint. Endothelium-dependent flow mediated dilation (FMD) and glyceryl trinitrate (GTN)-induced endothelium-independent dilation of brachial artery were studied before and after treatment. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMAIR) calculation was applied as a measure of insulin resistance (IR). Results: With treatment, FMD of brachial artery improved significantly from 4.2 +/- 6.6 to 10.2 +/- 5.9 % in metformin group (p=0.036) and from 2.9 +/- 3.2 to 7.6 +/- 4.9 % in rosiglitazone group (p=0.026), metformin being as effective as rosiglitazone (p=0.70). The endothelium-independent dilation did not change. Additionally, administration of metformin was associated with a significant decrease in HOMAIR (p = 0.003), serum total and free testosterone (p = 0.045 and p = 0.008, respectively) and significantly higher frequencies of menstrual bleeding (p=0.006). Conclusions: A six-month therapy with insulin sensitizers metformin and rosigitazone resulted in marked improvement of endothelial function in young PCOS patients without clinically evident atherosclerosis who were not severely insulin resistant. Neither drug was superior to the other. We conclude that therapeutic intervention with either insulin sensitizer may reverse the atherosclerotic process in PCOS patients at its early stage.
Descriptors     POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME
METFORMIN
INSULIN RESISTANCE
C-REACTIVE PROTEIN
ENDOTHELIUM, VASCULAR
NITROGLYCERIN
BRACHIAL ARTERY
VASODILATION
LIPIDS
ANDROGENS