Serum leptin and lipoprotein levels in women with PCOS.

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Objective: Leptin is a peptide hormone and produced by ob gene in adipocytes. Its main function is to restore the energy metabolism. On the other hand, cardiovascular risk due to altered serum lipoprotein levels and insulin resistance is increased as a long-term result of PCOS. Therefore, in this study we have investigated the relationship between serum leptin and lipoprotein levels in women with PCOS.Design: A university based, prospective study.Materials/Methods: Forty-four women with PCOS as a study group and 31 normal cycling women as a control group, total 75 women were included into this prospective study. Diagnosis of PCOS was established according to the clinical, hormonal (elevated serum androgens and LH levels) and ultrasonographic findings. Serum leptin levels were determined by double anti-body RIA technique. Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, fasting glucose and insulin levels were measured. One-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression tests were used for statistical analysis.Results: Both groups (study vs control) were comparable in terms of age (26.02 ± 3.20 vs 26.71 ± 3.55 years), serum fasting glucose (92.96 ± 18.19 vs 87.87 ± 9.91 mg/dl), insulin (16.72 ± 11.29 vs 11.81 ± 11.72 mIU/ml) and leptin (19.90 ± 17.34 vs 15.76 ± 9.20 ng/ml) levels. BMI and serum androgens and LH levels were higher among women with PCOS (Table 1). Serum total cholesterol, VLDL-C and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in the study group while HDL-C and LDL-C levels were comparable. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression tests showed a relationship between serum leptin levels and BMI (r = 0.63, p < 0.01), serum total testosterone levels (r = 0.31, p < 0.05), serum triglyceride levels (r = 0.54, p < 0.01) and serum VLDL-C levels (r = 0.50, p < 0.01), respectively.Table 1Descriptive data of the study and control groups.legendNote: Values are means and SDDataStudy(n = 44)Control(n = 31)BMI (kg/m2)∗p = 0.000,25.95 ± 6.4921.37 ± 2.56LH (mIU/ml)p = 0.001,10.19 ± 9.104.41 ± 1.81E2 (pg/ml)p = 0.001,72.06 ± 37.9444.38 ± 27.67A (ng/ml)∗p = 0.000,4.22 ± 2.202.53 ± 1.04TT (ng/ml)∗p = 0.000,83.09 ± 50.8735.84 ± 12.30Cholesterol (mg/dl)∗∗p < 0.05.183.27 ± 28.85170.03 ± 22.82HDL-C (mg/dl)50.30 ± 11.4853.38 ± 10.03LDL-C (mg/dl)109.68 ± 25.5499.87 ± 15.72VLDL-C (mg/dl)∗p < 0.01,23.55 ± 12.7716.74 ± 6.14Triglyceride (mg/dl)∗∗p < 0.05.114.25 ± 62.6884.61 ± 30.51legend Note: Values are means and SD∗ p = 0.000,∗∗ p = 0.001,∗∗∗ p < 0.01,∗∗∗∗ p < 0.05. Open table in a new tab Conclusions: Although serum leptin levels are not different in women with PCOS from the normal controls, there is a relationship between serum leptin levels and lipoprotein levels in women with PCOS. Objective: Leptin is a peptide hormone and produced by ob gene in adipocytes. Its main function is to restore the energy metabolism. On the other hand, cardiovascular risk due to altered serum lipoprotein levels and insulin resistance is increased as a long-term result of PCOS. Therefore, in this study we have investigated the relationship between serum leptin and lipoprotein levels in women with PCOS. Design: A university based, prospective study. Materials/Methods: Forty-four women with PCOS as a study group and 31 normal cycling women as a control group, total 75 women were included into this prospective study. Diagnosis of PCOS was established according to the clinical, hormonal (elevated serum androgens and LH levels) and ultrasonographic findings. Serum leptin levels were determined by double anti-body RIA technique. Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, fasting glucose and insulin levels were measured. One-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Both groups (study vs control) were comparable in terms of age (26.02 ± 3.20 vs 26.71 ± 3.55 years), serum fasting glucose (92.96 ± 18.19 vs 87.87 ± 9.91 mg/dl), insulin (16.72 ± 11.29 vs 11.81 ± 11.72 mIU/ml) and leptin (19.90 ± 17.34 vs 15.76 ± 9.20 ng/ml) levels. BMI and serum androgens and LH levels were higher among women with PCOS (Table 1). Serum total cholesterol, VLDL-C and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in the study group while HDL-C and LDL-C levels were comparable. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression tests showed a relationship between serum leptin levels and BMI (r = 0.63, p < 0.01), serum total testosterone levels (r = 0.31, p < 0.05), serum triglyceride levels (r = 0.54, p < 0.01) and serum VLDL-C levels (r = 0.50, p < 0.01), respectively. Conclusions: Although serum leptin levels are not different in women with PCOS from the normal controls, there is a relationship between serum leptin levels and lipoprotein levels in women with PCOS.