Influence of insulin resistance on total renin level in normotensive womenwith polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: To evaluate the influence of insulin resistance on the plasma to tal renin level in normotensive women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) . Design: Prospective, controlled study. Setting: University hospital. Patient(s): Twenty-five normotensive women with PCOS were compared with 11 normotensive control women with regular cycles and no features of PCOS. Intervention(s): Clinical, ultrasonographic, and hormonal findings were use d to define PCOS. Insulin resistance was estimated by continuous infusion o f glucose with model assessment in the early follicular phase. Main Outcome Measure(s): Plasma levels of total renin and angiotensin II an d serum levels of gonadotropins, DHEAS, total T, free T, 17 alpha-hydroxypr ogesterone, and PRL were determined. Result(s): Plasma concentrations of angiotensin II were similar in the PCOS group and the control group. The concentration of total renin in plasma wa s higher in women with PCOS than in healthy women independent of insulin re sistance. The sensitivity and specificity of the plasma total renin level t o diagnose women with PCOS were calculated as 80% and 71.4%, respectively. Conclusion(s): The plasma total renin level is higher in normotensive women with PCOS than in healthy women independent of insulin resistance. (Fertil Steril(R) 2000;73:261-5. (C) 2000 by American Society for Reproductive Med icine.)