RESPONSES OF SOMATOSTATIN, BETA-ENDORPHIN AND DYNORPHIN-A TO A GLUCOSE-LOAD IN 2 GROUPS OF WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME

To investigate the relationship between elevated LH, hyperinsulinemia and neuropeptides in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), we measured t he endogenous levels of insulin, somatostatin (SS), beta-endorphin (be ta-EP) and dynorphin A (Dyn A) before and after a glucose load in thre e groups: group 1 (LH/FSH greater than or equal to 3, n = 30); group 2 (LH/FSH < 3, n = 25), and controls (n = 15). In the basal state, sign ificantly negative correlations were found between LH and SS (r = -0.5 1, p < 0.05) in group 1 and between LH and beta-EP (r = -0.49, p < 0.0 5) in group 2. After a glucose load, PCOS women had greater beta-EP an d Dyn A responses in group 1 and impaired SS response in group 2 as co mpared with the control. The data suggest endogenously lower SS, highe r beta-EP and Dyn A may contribute to the elevation of LH and insulin secretions in PCOS.