The correlation of aromatase activity and obesity in women with or without polycystic ovary syndrome.

Jie Chen,Wenjun Wang,Yong Tan,Dong Xia,Yanjie Xia,Xiaoke Wu,Long Yi,Shanmei Shen,Yong Wang,Yunxia Cao,Hongwei Wang,Qian Gao

doi:10.1186/s13048-015-0139-1

Abstract

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the effect of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on the association of aromatase activity assessed by estradiol-to-testosterone ratio (E2/T) with body mass index (BMI) in women.MethodsThis was a cohort study in five centers for reproductive medicine in China. Data were collected from July 2012 to December 2013. PCOS patients (n = 785) and non PCOS, healthy, age-matched controls (n = 297) were included. Plasma sex hormones including estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured by ELISA, together with BMI and E2/T being calculated, on the third day of the menstrual cycle. Aromatase activity in PCOS patients with different BMI, T and E2 levels were compared.ResultsE2/T was significantly lower (P < 0.05) while BMI was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in PCOS than non-PCOS. No significant difference was observed in E2/T among different BMI subgroups of either PCOS or control. Ovarian aromatase activity was decreased in PCOS patients which was independent of BMI. Hyperestrogen promoted ovarian aromatase activity, while hyperandrogen inhibited such activity, both in a dose-dependent, biphasic manner.ConclusionsOvarian aromatase activity was lower in PCOS, which was independent of BMI. New therapeutic strategies can be developed by targeting aromatase activity for treating PCOS women, especially those with obesity.

Highlights

This study aimed to investigate the effect of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on the association of aromatase activity assessed by estradiol-to-testosterone ratio (E2/T) with body mass index (BMI) in women
PCOS patients showed significantly increased levels of BMI, E2, T and luteinizing hormone (LH), while their E2/T, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and FSH/LH values were decreased compared with the non-PCOS group
No significant differences in E2/T were observed in both PCOS and non-PCOS subjects who had higher BMI values

Summary

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate the effect of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on the association of aromatase activity assessed by estradiol-to-testosterone ratio (E2/T) with body mass index (BMI) in women. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by dysfunction of gonadal axis and systemic nerve endocrine metabolic network [1], with a prevalence of up to 10% in women of reproductive age [2,3]. This number may underestimate the severity of the situation as many women with PCOS in the community remain undiagnosed [4]. The nature of the interaction between ovarian aromatase activity and PCOS in women has been controversial, and the impact of weight gain on aromatase activity as well as E2 levels is unknown

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