Fasting Luteinizing Hormone Research Articles

Dehydroepiandrosterone with a high-fat diet treatment at inducing polycystic ovary syndrome in rat model

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA combined with a high-fat diet (HFD) treatment of reproductive and endocrine metabolism in rats and then identify an ideal model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). MethodsThree-week-old female Sprague–Dawley rats were injected subcutaneously with DHEA or oil, fed with or without a HFD, for 21 days, during which body weight, feed intake, and estrous cycle monitoring were carried out. Fasting blood glucose was measured, and serum fasting insulin, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were estimated by ELISA. Serum total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured by colorimetric assay. Whereas, histologic changes in rat ovaries were evaluated by H&E staining. Ovarian steroid hormone synthases and their protein levels (StAR, 3β-HSD2, 17β-HSD1, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, and CYP19A1) were examined by Western blotting. ResultsBoth DHEA and DHEA + HFD-treated rats lost a regular estrous cycle; had polycystic ovarian changes, significantly higher serum fasting insulin and testosterone levels; and increased ovarian StAR, 3β-HSD2, and CYP11A1 protein levels. Additionally, rats in the DHEA + HFD-treated group were obese; had elevated fasting blood glucose, TG, DHT, AMH levels and LH:FSH ratios; increased ovarian 17β-HSD1 protein levels. ConclusionDHEA combined with HFD treatment is more effective at inducing PCOS than DHEA alone. The reproductive and endocrine metabolic aspects of this method are more consistent with the clinical characteristics of PCOS patients.

Exploring the role of irisin as a potential biomarker in adolescents and young adults with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Irisin is a myokine potentially linked to insulin sensitivity. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent hormonal condition defined by insulin resistance. Previous studies have reported elevated circulating irisin levels in adult females with PCOS. To examine the differences in serum irisin levels between lean and obese adolescents and young adults with PCOS and their respective lean and obese controls and to explore the relationship between irisin levels and the metabolic and reproductive characteristics of the participants. Cross-sectional study design. The study included 60 cases of PCOS and 60 controls. These participants were categorized based on their body mass index (BMI) into lean and obese. Fasting serum irisin levels, physical, metabolic, hormonal, and reproductive characteristics of the participants were measured. Lean cases of PCOS had significantly elevated levels of fasting serum irisin (PCOS = 17.07 ± 5.61 ng/ml vs lean controls = 11.04 ± 7.51 ng/ml; p = 0.002), glucose, insulin, homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, and testosterone and significantly lower levels of quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) compared to the lean controls. Obese cases of PCOS had significantly higher levels of fasting serum irisin (PCOS = 22.06 ± 3.83 ng/ml vs obese controls = 16.86 ± 6.74 ng/ml; p = 0.011), glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, LH, estradiol, and testosterone and significantly lower levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and QUICKI compared to obese controls. The findings revealed a significant positive correlation of serum irisin levels with BMI, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, LH, estradiol, and testosterone(all p-values < 0.001). There was also a significant positive correlation with triglycerides (TAGs) (p = 0.001), total cholesterol (p = 0.005), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.024). Additionally, there was a significant negative correlation with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.001) and QUICKI (p < 0.001) in the entire study cohort. Fasting serum glucose (β = 0.337, p = 0.029), TAGs (β = 0.249, p = 0.006), and LH (β = 0.382, p = 0.004) were positive predictors of serum irisin concentrations in the overall sample. Lean and obese adolescent and young adult cases of PCOS had significantly higher fasting serum irisin levels than their respective controls. Metabolic and reproductive traits of the participants also correlated with irisin.

Effects of long-term fasting on female hormone levels: Ramadan model

Ramadan fasting is a special model of hunger and particularly affects metabolic processes, including carbohydrate and lipid levels. Endocrine changes induced by Ramadan fasting are not well known.The aim of this article was to evaluate the changes in hormone levels in women before and after the special Muslim fasting period of Ramadan.This study was performed in 30 healthy women in Obstetrics and Gynecology department during the Ramadan month of2011. Patients during and after the first menstrual period had menstrual cycles fasting blood samples taken on the same days. Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), testosterone, and prolactin (PRL) levels were determined.Before and during fasting LH, FSH, E2, testosterone and PRL levels were not statistically different.Despite the limited available studies on these subjects in women, effect of Ramadan fasting on hormone levels were found to be within the normal limits.

Adiponectin and adiponectin receptor-1 in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome: Impact of insulin sensitization by metformin

Background: Abdominal obesity, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia play a central role in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Abdominal adipose tissue is a source of adiponectin. Metformin has been widely used in the treatment of PCOS and has been shown to improve the metabolic and hormonal disturbances of PCOS. Objective: The current study aimed to investigate the relationships between serum adiponectin and adiponec-tin receptor-1 (AdipoR1) with insulin resistance, hormonal variables, and anthropometric measures in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and to find the shortterm effect of metformin treatment on adiponectin and Adi-poR-1 levels in these patients. Patients and Methods: 38 PCOS patients and 14 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy controls were recruited. In all participants, BMI, waist circumference, serum levels of fasting glucose, insulin, adiponectin, AdipoR1, total testosterone, luteiniz-ing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were assessed. PCOS patients received metformin treatment (1500 mg/daily) for two menstrual cycles followed by measurement of all previous parameters. All subjects gave informed consent. Results: PCOS patients had higher waist circumference, fasting glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), testosterone, LH and LH/FSH ratio than did controls. In PCOS patients, adiponectin and AdipoR1 were lower than in controls, and both correlated negatively with waist circumference, insulin, and HOMA-IR (P=0.048, P=0.0003, P=0.0003, respectively for adiponectin and P=0.039, P=0.023, P=0.025, respectively for AdipoR-1). HOMA-IR followed by testosterone were independent predictors of adiponectin while HOMA-IR was an independent predictor of AdipoR1. Metformin decreased fasting glucose (P=0.003), insulin (P=0.042), HOMA-IR (P=0.006), testosterone (P=0.001), LH (P=0.0001) and LH/ FSH ratio (P=0.003) and increased adiponectin (P=0.014) and AdipoR1 (P=0.001) levels in PCOS patients. Conclusion: Reduced adiponectin and Ad-sipoR1 in PCOS patients is independently associated with insulin resistance and the improvement of insulin sensitivity by short-term metformin treatment results in increased adiponectin and AdipoR-l.

Interplay of insulin resistance and the reproductive and metabolic changes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex reproductive, endocrine-metabolic disorder with insulin resistance (IR) as a common feature. Objective: To clarify whether IR and associated hyperinsulinemia play a key role in the pathophysiological changes in PCOS especially, reproductive and metabolic changes, and the efficacy of metformin therapy in these cases. Patients and Methods: Twenty five PCOS patients received metformin 850 mg twice daily for four months and fifteen healthy controls were included in this study. Body mass index (BMI) evaluation followed by ultrasound examination for measurement of antral follicle count (AFC) in both ovaries, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), fasting blood glucose, insulin and glucose / insulin ratio (G/I) were measured in addition to serum total testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH) and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) estimation for all subjects. These parameters were re-evaluated again 4 months after metformin treatment was initiated in PCOS patients. Results: PCOS patients had significantly increased fasting blood glucose levels (P &lt; 0.05), BMI, T, IGF-1 (P &lt; 0.01), LH, insulin levels and AFC (P &lt; 0.001) but G/I ratio was significantly (P &lt; 0.001) lower in comparison to controls. Significant negative correlations between fasting G/I ratio and each of BMI, T, and AFC respectively were evident. Impaired OGTT at baseline was observed in PCOS patients with significant improvement noted after initiation of metformin therapy. Metformin significantly decreased BMI, serum T, LH, IGF-1 levels and AFC and increased the G/I ratio versus pretreatment values. Conclusion: IR plays a vital pathophysiological role in PCOS patients as manifested by causal relationship between insulin resistance and the reproductive and metabolic changes of PCOS. Metformin potentially improves these changes.

Hyperandrogenism Does Not Influence Metabolic Parameters in Adolescent Girls with PCOS

Background. Underlying insulin resistance and/or obesity has clearly been implicated in the development of metabolic syndrome in adolescents and young adults with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). It is not clear however what role hyperandrogenism has on the development of metabolic syndrome or its role on those metabolic parameters associated with metabolic syndrome. Methods. We studied 107 adolescent girls; 54 had PCOS according to NIH criteria. Data was obtained for systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), body mass index (BMI), total testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, fasting lipid profile, and glucose. The PCOS group was divided initially into subgroups according to BMI (kg/m2), then based on T (ng/dL) levels as follows: High Testosterone PCOS (HT), Intermediate Testosterone PCOS (IT), Obese and Normal Testosterone (ONT), and lean and normal T (Control, C). t-test analysis was performed in between all the groups. Results. There was no statistical difference between HT and IT, HT and ONT, or IT and ONT in SBP, DBP, fasting blood glucose, lipid panel, LH, FSH, and prolactin levels. The control group had lower SBP and BMI comparing with ONT, IT, and HT groups. There were no statistical differences found in DBP, fasting blood glucose, lipid panel, LH, FSH, or Prolactin. Conclusion. Metabolic profile in adolescent girls with PCOS is not affected by either the presence of hyperandrogenism or the degree of hyperandrogenism.

Effect of the subdermal contraceptive etonogestrel implant (Implanon®) on biochemical and hormonal parameters (three years follow-up)

Objectıve To determine whether the use of the subdermal contraceptive implant releasing etonogestrel (Implanon®) affects serum hormonal and biochemical indices.Methods Seventy women with a mean age of 28.5±3.4 years were enrolled into this prospective observational study. After placement of an Implanon® rod, they were followed-up for three years. Baseline and end-of-study values of serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, SGOT, SGPT, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol, free 3,5,3′-tri-iodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and prolactine (PRL) were compared using Student's t-test.Results There was no failure of contraception during the three year period. No statistically significant differences were observed between the initial and final levels of fasting blood glucose, BUN, SGOT, SGPT, LDL, HDL, E2, FSH, LH, fT3, fT4 and TSH (p > 0.05), but the increase in PRL, cholesterol and triglycerides, and the decrease in creatinine levels at the end of three years were statistically significant (p <0.05) although the values were still within normal ranges.Conclusion Our findings confirm data from the literature according to which Implanon® does not affect meaningfully reproductive hormonal parameters, thyroid function, hepatic and renal functions, and glucose metabolism. However, further studies are needed to elucidate lipid metabolism changes.

A randomized controlled trial of the efficacy of rosiglitazone and clomiphene citrate versus metformin and clomiphene citrate in women with clomiphene citrate–resistant polycystic ovary syndrome

To compare the efficacy of rosiglitazone and clomiphene citrate (CC) with metformin and CC in women with CC-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Randomized controlled trial (RCT). A university teaching hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Twenty-five women with CC-resistant PCOS. Twelve women were assigned to the rosiglitazone and CC group, and 13 women were assigned to the metformin and CC group for three treatment cycles. The first cycle was started on the first day of the period with either rosiglitazone (4 mg twice daily) or metformin (500 mg three times daily) and continued for three cycles. Clomiphene citrate (100 mg) from the third day for 5 days was added to each cycle. Ovulation rate, number of follicles and estradiol (E2) on day 12 of the cycle, pregnancy rate, and changes in fasting glucose, serum insulin, HbA(1C), total testosterone (T), free T, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), delta4-androstenedione (delta4-A), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-1, and IGFBP-3. No significant differences were found in the baseline characteristics of both groups. Ovulation rate was significantly higher in the rosiglitazone and CC group (18 out of 28 cycles [[64.3%]]) than the metformin and CC group (12 out of 33 cycles [[36.4%]]) (P=.035). Similarly, statistically significant differences were found in the number of follicles > or =14 mm in the rosiglitazone and CC group (2.2 +/- 1) compared with the metformin and CC group (1.1 +/- 0.9) (P=.02) and E2 on day 12 of the cycle in the rosiglitazone and CC group (1,991 +/- 1,389 pmol/L) compared with the metformin and CC group (548 +/- 327) (P<.001). The pregnancy rate was also higher in the rosiglitazone and CC group (6 out of 12 [[50%]] women) than the metformin and CC group (5 out of 13 [[38.5%]] women), but did not reach statistical significance (P=.58). Both groups showed no significant changes in fasting plasma glucose or HbA(1C) or IGFBP-3 values. However, in both groups, fasting serum insulin, total T, free T, LH, DHEA-S, delta4A, and IGF-1 levels decreased significantly, and SHBG and IGFBP-1 exhibited significant increases. These findings suggest that short-term use of rosiglitazone and CC is more efficacious than metformin and CC in ovulation induction in women with CC-resistant PCOS.