Relationship between leptin and insulin-sensitivity in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND: The relationship between leptin and insulin sensitivity, sexual steroids and insulin concentrations in women with polycystic ovary syndrom e is still controversial. The objetive of this study was to assess the rela tionship between insulin levels, insulin resistance parameters and serum le ptin concentrations in healthy and polycystic ovary syndrome women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 33 hyperandrogenic polycystic ovary syndrome women (G HA) and 27 healthy women (GS) were included in this study. Leptin, insulin, sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG), testosterone and estradiol concentrat ions were determined in a basal sample. Body mass index, waist diameter and waist to hip ratio were recorded. Insulin sensitivity was calculated by me ans of insulin tolerance test and glycemial/insulinemia ratio. RESULTS: The leptin concentration was not different between GHA and GS. Ins ulin levels and free testosterona index (FTI) were higher in GHA than GS (p < 0.01). The glycemia/insulinemia ratio, SHBG levels, and insulin sensitiv ity were lower in GHA (p < 0.01). In both groups positive correlations betw een leptin concentration and body mass index (p < 0.01), waist diameter (p < 0.01), insulin levels (p < 0.01) and glycemia/insulinemia ratio (p < 0.01 ) were observed. Only GHA showed correlation between insulin sensitivity an d leptin concentration (p < 0.02). SHBG and leptin levels were not correlat ed. CONCLUSIONS: The leptin concentration was not different between GHA and hea lthy women, although they are metabolically different. This phenomenon coul d be due to the fact that in hyperandrogenic women the effects of insulin r esistance and hyperandrogenemia counteract each other.