Association between levels of serum leptin and insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

To analyze the level of serum leptin and its relations with insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) so as to investigate the clinical effect of aciesis in PCOS under treatment of metformin. 86 cases with PCOS (observation group) and 100 non-PCOS women (as controls) were chosen as the objects for the study. Body mass index (BMI), serum leptin, fasting blood glucose, insulin and IR index were measured and the relativity analyzed. PCOS patients were randomly divided into group A and group B, with clinical effect of metformin observed. Both serum leptin and insulin levels and the IR index in observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.001). In the PCOS group, leptin levels in patients with insulin resistance was significantly higher than that in patients who were without (P < 0.001). The leptin levels were positive correlated to BMI, insulin and IR index (P < 0.05), but not to fasting plasma glucose (P > 0.05). The rate of ovulation was 58.1% in group B, much higher than that in group A 27.9% (P < 0.05). The rate of pregnancy as 25.6% in group B was also much higher than that in group A 9.3% (P < 0.05). In patients with PCOS, the levels of leptin and insulin were significantly elevated if the elevation of leptin levels was inherent in obesity. Both resistances on insulin and leptin might exist at the same time. The serum leptin was positively correlated with BMI, insulin and IR index. It seemed worthwhile to treat the patients with metformin in aciesis of PCOS to improve both the rates on ovulation and pregnancy.