Hormone Levels In Patients Research Articles

Serum Antimullerian Hormone Levels in Patients Who Underwent Uterine Artery Ligation

Serum Antimullerian Hormone Levels in Patients Who Underwent Uterine Artery Ligation

CHOROIDAL THICKENING AND PACHYCHOROID IN CUSHING SYNDROME

To investigate subfoveal choroidal thickness and pachychoroid and their correlation with hormone level in patients with endogenous Cushing syndrome (CS). We enrolled a consecutive series of patients with CS and healthy controls. All participants had swept-source optical coherence tomography. All patients with CS had hormone test including morning plasma-free cortisol, 24-hour urine-free cortisol (24UFC), and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone. We compared subfoveal choroidal thickness and pachychoroid changes between two groups. We performed univariate and multivariate analysis to study correlation between hormone level and choroid thickness as well as pachychoroid in patients with CS. Compared with control group, Cushing group had significantly greater subfoveal choroidal thickness (371.6 ± 114.9 and 320.0 ± 74.0, P = 0.002) and higher proportion of eyes with pachychoroid (53.1 and 14.3%, P < 0.001). Subfoveal choroidal thickness was significantly correlated with 24UFC (P = 0.007) but not with plasma-free cortisol (P = 0.48) or adrenocorticotropic hormone (P = 0.56). Pachychoroid was significantly correlated with 24UFC (P = 0.03) but not with plasma-free cortisol (P = 0.24) or adrenocorticotropic hormone (P = 0.32). There was a positive correlation between elevated 24UFC and choroid thickening as well as pachychoroid, indicating the importance of normal endogenous cortisol level in maintaining the human choroid vasculature.

Effect of X-ray on serum thyroxin hormone level in patients undergoing brain computed tomography in Port Harcourt

Effect of X-ray on serum thyroxin hormone level in patients undergoing brain computed tomography in Port Harcourt

Primary Care Quality Improvement Metrics and National Committee on Quality Assurance Medical Home Recognition for Children With Medical Complexity.

Introduction:The Complex Care Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center developed and implemented a set of evidence-based clinical process measures of immunization delivery, preventive and chronic condition laboratory screening, and behavioral health medication surveillance for use in the primary care setting.Methods:Improvement activities focused on 4 measures across 4 domains mandated by the National Committee on Quality Assurance for patient-centered medical home recognition. Interventions were implemented in phases from January 2017 to October 2018. The goal was the improvement in immunizations, preventive lead screening, vitamin D testing in chronic conditions, and behavioral health medication surveillance. Preventative lipid screening in the entire population and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels in patients with Down syndrome were also measured.Results:The offering and the completion of an immunization bundle increased from a mean of 61.0% to a mean of 83.7% of patients. Eligible patients with documented lead surveillance increased from 61.2% to 96.5%. Patients with documented 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels increased from 72.2% to 87.8%. The percentage of patients metabolically monitored while taking an atypical antipsychotic continued at 92.0%.Conclusions:Using quality improvement education, data measurement/feedback, electronic medical record optimization/decision support, and care gap identification with planned care, the Complex Care Center demonstrated improved reliability in needed immunization delivery and laboratory screenings for a heterogeneous primary care population of children with medical complexity. As the numbers of children with medical complexity rise, so does the importance of reliable processes and relevant measures for quality in their unique care delivery systems.

Lipid and thyroid hormone levels in children with epilepsy treated with levetiracetam or carbamazepine: A prospective observational study

Although previous studies have investigated the influence of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on lipid profiles and thyroid hormone levels, there is little evidence regarding the effects of levetiracetam (LEV). Therefore, we conducted a prospective longitudinal study to evaluate the effects of LEV and carbamazepine (CBZ) treatment on lipid profile and thyroid hormone levels in patients newly diagnosed with epilepsy. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (a) age between 4 and 15 years, (b) diagnosis of epilepsy with at least two focal seizures within a year, and (c) newly treated with LEV or CBZ monotherapy. Serum lipid profile and thyroid hormone levels were measured before and after 1 and 6 months of AED initiation. Among the 21 included patients (LEV: 13 patients, CBZ: 8 patients), all but one patient in the LEV group continued AED monotherapy during the study period. Although triglyceride (TG) levels tended to be increased in the CBZ group (baseline: 58.3 ± 22.0 mg/dl, 1 month: 63.8 ± 21.6 mg/dl, 6 months: 92.3 ± 63.6 mg/dl, p = 0.22, analyses of variance (ANOVA)), there were no significant changes in total cholesterol (TC), TG levels, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in either group. Serum free thyroxine (fT4) levels were significantly decreased in the CBZ group (baseline: 1.15 ± 0.06 ng/dl, 1 month: 1.00 ± 0.16 ng/dl, 6 months: 0.98 ± 0.14 ng/dl, p = 0.03, ANOVA). In contrast, there were no significant changes in fT4 or thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in the LEV group. The results of the present study suggest that LEV monotherapy does not affect lipid profile or thyroid function while CBZ monotherapy may cause thyroid dysfunction.

Hormonal aggressiveness according to the expression of cellular markers in corticotroph adenomas.

The molecular mechanisms underlying tumor growth in Cushing's disease (CD) still remain a challenge. Moreover, clinical manifestations of CD may vary depending on hormonal activity; however, factors involved in the hormonal aggressiveness of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary tumors have not been fully clarified. We investigated the association between the expression of cellular markers regarding pituitary tumor progression and initial or postoperative hormone levels in patients with CD. Tumor tissues from 28 corticotroph adenomas (female 26, male 2, mean age 39.21 ± 10.39 years) were subject to immunohistochemical study using the following antibodies: pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1 (PTTG1), cyclin D1, p16, p27, brahma related-gene 1 (Brg1), and Ki-67. We then analyzed the relationship between each cellular marker expression and hormone levels, including 24 h urinary free cortisol (UFC), plasma ACTH, and serum cortisol. PTTG1 and Ki-67 were expressed in 100% and 50% of patients, respectively. However, the levels did not reflect initial hormonal activity. The cyclin D1-negative group showed higher serum cortisol levels compared to the cyclin D1-positive group (p = 0.01). The 24 h UFC levels were significantly higher in the p27-negative group than in the p27-positive group (p = 0.04), whereas the Brg1-positive group revealed higher serum cortisol levels than in the Brg1-negative group (p = 0.02). Although PTTG1 and Ki-67 play an essential role in developing ACTH-secreting tumors, cyclin D1, p27, and Brg1 may be better biomarkers to determine hormonal aggressiveness of the tumor. Further research is needed to understand the influence of cellular markers on hormonal activity in CD.

Anti-Müllerian hormone levels in patients with turner syndrome: Relation to karyotype, spontaneous puberty, and replacement therapy.

Most girls with Turner syndrome (TS) suffer from incomplete sexual development, premature ovarian failure, and infertility due to abnormal ovarian folliculogenesis. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels reflect the ovarian reserve in females, even in childhood. Thus, we aimed to assess serum AMH levels in girls with TS and its relation to karyotype, spontaneous puberty, and growth hormone (GH) therapy. Fifty TS were compared to 50 age- and sex-matched controls. All subjects were subjected to history, anthropometric assessment, Tanner pubertal staging and measurement of serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and AMH. Karyotype results were obtained from patients' records. Serum AMH was measurable in 12 TS patients (24%). The lowest frequency of measurable AMH was in patients with a karyotype of 45,X. The measurable AMH was associated with spontaneous breast development (p = .003) and spontaneous menarche (p = .001). AMH correlated negatively with FSH (r = -.846, p = .000) and LH (r = -.83, p = .034). GH therapy increased the odds of having measurable AMH in TS girls (p = .002). In conclusion, AMH was associated with karyotype, spontaneous pubertal development, LH, and FSH in TS girls and may serve as a useful marker of ovarian function and ongoing follicular development in prepuberty.

FT4 and TSH, relation to diagnoses in an unselected psychiatric acute-ward population, and change during acute psychiatric admission

BackgroundAlteration in thyroid activity is a well-known cause of symptoms mimicking psychiatric disorders. There are reports on altered levels of thyroid hormones in patients with certain psychiatric disorders compared to healthy controls; still, the magnitude and importance of the phenomenon is not known. We wanted to explore the level of thyroid hormones in different diagnostic groups in an acute-psychiatric population. We also wanted to follow any change during their stay.MethodsPatients aged 18 years and older admitted to a closed, psychiatric inpatient ward were eligible if giving informed consent. For 539 patients representing all main psychiatric diagnostic groups and with equal gender distribution, data for FT4 were available for 539 patients, and data for TSH were available from 538 patients at admittance. For 239 patients, data for FT4 were available at both admittance and discharge, and the corresponding number for TSH was 236 patients.ResultsA significantly higher share of patients had higher levels of FT4 and TSH at admittance than expected for healthy individuals. No significant effect of gender or most diagnostic groups was seen.For female patients with substance-use disorder (SUD), the level of TSH was significantly lower than that for all other diagnostic groups. No other difference in the levels of FT4 and TSH was seen between the main diagnostic groups, and the effect in SUD was not seen in males.For the population with available markers at both admittance and discharge, in total, there was a significant reduction of FT4 from admittance to discharge, not followed by any change in TSH.ConclusionsIn acutely admitted psychiatric patients there seems to be an increased FT4 and TSH. FT4 is normalized during the inpatient stay independently of TSH. This indicates somatic effects of psychiatric stress that may be of clinical importance and the phenomenon should be further explored. Mainly different diagnostic groups did not differ in level of FT4 and TSH. Thus future studies on thyroid activity in psychiatric patients should focus on function and level of stress and suffering rather than diagnostic groups.

Features of blood pressure and endothelial dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and primary hypothyroidism

Aim of the study. To study the features of blood pressure and endothelial dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in combination with primary hypothyroidism. Materials and methods. Under supervision there were 65 patients with type 2 DM and hypertension. Patients were divided into two groups. The first group included 35 people with type 2 DM in combination with primary hypothyroidism. The second group consisted of 25 patients with type 2 DM without thyroid pathology. Daily blood pressure monitoring was performed according to the standard method. An assessment of endothelium-dependent vasodilation was performed using a mechanical test. Endothelium-independent vasodilation was evaluated after sublingual administration of 500 μg nitroglycerin. Results. An increase in the time index of diastolic blood pressure and a violation of the daily rhythm of arterial pressure with the predominance of non-dipper profile in patients with type 2 DM in combination with primary hypothyroidism was found. The decrease in endothelium-dependent vasodilation and increase of endothelin-1 concentration in persons with type 2 DM, hypothyroidism and hypertension were established. Conclusions. The correlation of endothelial function parameters with carbohydrate, lipid metabolism, blood pressure, insulin resistance, thyroid stimulating hormone levels in patients with combined pathology is established.

Efficacy of Yokukansankachimpihange on sleep disturbance in Parkinson's disease: A study protocol of a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial.

Introduction:Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that includes motor and nonmotor symptoms. Sleep disturbance is known to decrease the quality of life in patients with PD, and there are limitations to the pharmacotherapy currently in use. Therefore, complementary treatment therapies are required to address these limitations. The traditional herbal medicines Yokukansan (YKS) and Yokukansankachimpihange (YKSCH) have been used to treat insomnia and night crying in children, suggesting their effectiveness against sleep disturbance in patients with PD. We will evaluate whether YKSCH improves sleep disturbance in PD and will identify YKS-related changes in hemodynamic parameters, and neurotransmitter and hormone levels in patients with PD experiencing sleep disturbance.Methods:We will conduct a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled parallel trial in 34 patients with PD and sleep disturbance, randomly allocating the patients to either placebo-control (n = 17) or treatment groups (n = 17). The total study period will be 16 weeks; administration of YKSCH or placebo, as intervention, will be performed for a 12-week period, and follow-up will be performed over a 4-week period. All subjects will undergo conventional treatment, and be required to maintain a regular medication schedule throughout the study period. The primary outcome measure will be the Scales for Outcomes in PD-Sleep Scale score, and the secondary outcome measures will be polysomnography results, findings from instruments related to sleep disorders, neurotransmitter and hormone levels, and hemodynamic changes in the brain cortex.Discussion and conclusions:This trial will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of YKSCH for sleep improvement in PD with sleep disturbance, and investigate the underlying mechanism of action. We expect improvement in the scores for subjective and objective sleep scales, hemodynamic changes in prefrontal cortical activity, and changes in neurotransmitter and hormone levels. The findings will provide insight into the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of YKSCH in PD, and lay the foundation for further studies on whether YKSCH improves sleep disturbance in PD.Trial registration number:Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0002869).

Screening for comorbid conditions in patients enrolled in the SODA registry: a 2-year observational analysis

PurposeThis 2-year analysis assessed frequency of comorbidities and comorbidity screening in the Somatuline® (lanreotide, LAN) Depot for Acromegaly (SODA) registry.MethodsPatient data collected included pituitary hormone deficiencies, sleep studies, echocardiograms, gallbladder sonographies, colonoscopies, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and growth hormone levels in patients with (DM) and without (non-DM) diabetes mellitus were analyzed.ResultsThere were 241 patients enrolled. Pituitary hormone deficiencies were reported more frequently at enrollment in male (56.9%) vs female patients (32.0%; p < 0.001). TSH deficiency was the most common endocrine deficiency (69.8%), followed by gonadotropin deficiency (62.3%). Screening tests reported at enrollment: sleep studies in 29.9% (79.2% had sleep apnea), echocardiogram in 46.1% (46.8% abnormal), gallbladder sonography in 18.7% (17.8% had gallstones), and colonoscopy in 48.1% (35.3% had polyps). Follow-up studies were reported less frequently at 1 and 2 years. HbA1c data were reported in 30.8% and 41.2% after 1 and 2 years. HbA1c levels were similar at 1 and 2 years of LAN therapy among DM and non-DM patients with available data. Fewer DM vs non-DM patients achieved IGF-1 below upper limit of normal at Month 24 (58.3% vs 80.6%; p = 0.033).ConclusionsFewer than half of patients in SODA had screening results reported at enrollment for sleep apnea, cardiomyopathy, and colon polyps. Gallbladder imaging was reported in a minority of patients. Lower IGF-1 control rates were observed in DM vs non-DM patients at Month 24. These data suggest a need for better monitoring of comorbidities in US acromegaly patients.

The relationship between the central serous chorioretinopathy, choroidal thickness, and serum hormone levels.

The purpose of this study were to compare the levels of serum cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and renin hormone between patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and a control group, and to investigate whether there was a difference regarding serum hormone levels in patients with acute/chronic CSC. This prospective study included 30 CSC eyes, 30 fellow eyes, and 32 normal eyes of 32 healthy volunteers who were age and sex matched. The patients were classified as acute or chronic depending on the clinical, fluorescein angiography (FFA), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings. Serum cortisol, aldosterone, renin, total testosterone, and DHEA levels were measured. The levels of hormones were compared with the values of the control group. Choroidal thickness and central macular thickness were measured with spectral domain OCT. Fifteen patients had acute CSC, and 15 patients had chronic CSC. Serum testosterone levels were 357 ± 10.4ng/ml in the CSC group, and 255.94 ± 7.43ng/ml in the control group. The difference between them was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The difference between the levels of cortisol, renin, aldosterone, and DHEA was not statistically significant. Serum hormone levels were within the normal range for all patients and were not statistically different between the acute and chronic CSC groups. According to our results, CSC is related to elevated total testosterone levels. Testosterone may play a role in predisposing males to CSC.

An Analysis of the Accuracy and Utility of Automated Kit (AK) Assays in Quantifying Thyroid Hormone Levels in Patients Taking Eslicarbazepine Acetate (ESL) (P5.273)

An Analysis of the Accuracy and Utility of Automated Kit (AK) Assays in Quantifying Thyroid Hormone Levels in Patients Taking Eslicarbazepine Acetate (ESL) (P5.273)

Confirmation of menopause based on changes in follicle-stimulating hormone levels in patients who were administered dienogest

Purpose of investigation: The appropriate time for patients to discontinue dienogest (DNG) after long-term use has been a recent topic of debate. Therefore, this study evaluated the timing for discontinuation of DNG in climacteric patients suffering from endometriosis and adenomyosis. Materials and Methods: DNG was orally administered at 2 mg/day for more than 12 months. The serum estradiol (E2) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were measured every three to six months. DNG was discontinued when the hormone levels changed to those characteristic of menopause. Results: FSH levels in three patients increased to more than 25.8 mIU/mL during DNG administration. They were thus diagnosed as having entered menopause. There was no recurrence of pain in these patients at one year after discontinuation of DNG. Conclusion: An increase in serum FSH levels could help in confirming the diagnosis of menopause. In addition, DNG prevented the recurrence of endometriosis and adenomyosis.

Anti-müllerian hormone level in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the common causes of chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism in women between the age of 13 and 45 years old. PCOS is characterized by an increased number of follicles at all growing stages particularly in the preantral and small antral follicles, those who primarily produce Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH). Objective: The aim of the study is to measure the AMH levels in serum of the women with PCOS. Materials and Methods: The study included 90 women (50 cases with PCOS and 40 control cases healthy women). PCOS patients were diagnosed according to the Rotterdam definition; serum AMH was measured using the ultrasensitive AMH enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Mean serum of AMH in PCOS patients was 11.52 ng/ml and for the control group was 3.36 ng/ml and was statistically significant with the P

Thyroid hormone status in patients with severe selenium deficiency.

.Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element that is involved in numerous biological processes in the form of a selenoprotein such as iodothyronine deiodinase (DIO). Se deficiency may prevent the conversion of T4 to T3 through reducing DIO expression and thereby affecting thyroid hormone status. However, this has not been well documented in humans. In this study, to clarify the association between Se and thyroid hormone status, we investigated the thyroid hormone levels in patients with severe Se deficiency (< 2 µg/dl). Severe Se deficiency was associated with increases in free T4 levels, but not with decreases and increases in free T3 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, respectively. Increases in free T4 levels during Se deficiency were reduced with Se supplementation; however, neither free T3 nor TSH levels were affected. Taken together, these findings indicate that free T4 may be a useful biomarker for Se status when serum Se levels are severely low.

Correlation of Thyroid Hormone Profile with Biochemical Markers of Renal Function in Patients with Undialyzed Chronic Kidney Disease.

Objective:The present study was conducted to evaluate the correlation of renal functions with thyroid hormone levels in patients with undialyzed chronic kidney disease (CKD). Literature shows significant alteration in thyroid hormone function tests in CKD patients who are receiving long-standing dialysis treatment. However, not much is described in those receiving conservative management without dialysis. Although CKD is associated with an increased prevalence of primary hypothyroidism, various studies on thyroid hormone status in uremic patients have reported conflicting results.Methodology:Thyroid hormone levels and biochemical markers of renal function were estimated in 30 undialyzed CKD patients and similar number of age- and sex-matched healthy controls, followed by statistical analysis and correlation.Results:Free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) were found to be significantly reduced (P < 0.001 for each) in undialyzed CKD patients whereas thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels showed statistically insignificant alteration in both groups. We also observed that urea and creatinine were negatively correlated whereas creatinine clearance was positively correlated with both FT3 and FT4 having high statistical (two tailed) significance with P < 0.001. Nonsignificant correlation was seen between blood urea and TSH (r = 0.236, P = 0.069), creatinine clearance, and TSH (r = 0.206, P = 0.114 Pearson's correlation coefficient). There is just significant positive correlation between the serum creatinine values and TSH (r = 0.248, P = 0.049).Conclusions:Thyroid hormones were significantly decreased in undialyzed CKD patients as compared to healthy controls.

Anti-Müllerian hormone levels in patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia treated with different chemotherapy regimens: a prospective cohort study.

PurposeTo assess the ovarian reserve of patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) treated with chemotherapy by evaluating serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels before, during, and after chemotherapy.ResultsThe basal AMH level (mean: 3.98 ± 3.20 ng/mL) negatively correlated with age, while the basal FSH level (mean: 5.71 ± 9.69 mIU/mL) had no correlation with age. After 3 chemotherapy cycles, serum AMH levels decreased and FSH levels increased. The magnitude of the AMH level decline was significantly greater for combination chemotherapy than for single-agent dactinomycin D therapy (61.80% vs. 27.57%) (p = 0.0004) and was higher in patients whose regimens included etoposide (73.69% vs 40.51%) (p = 0.0359). After chemotherapy completion, AMH levels showed a further decline, and cumulative AMH concentration change was associated with doses of vincristine (p = 0.009) and etoposide (p = 0.032). At the 3-month follow-up, AMH levels significantly increased in the dactinomycin D group (p = 0.0067).Materials and MethodsThis prospective study included 34 patients with GTN. Serum AMH and FSH levels were measured before chemotherapy, after the 3rd cycle, and at 2 weeks and 3 months after chemotherapy. Cumulative changes of serum AMH levels in patients who received different chemotherapy regimens were analyzed.ConclusionsChemotherapy for GTN affects the ovarian reserve, with substantial differences between chemotherapy protocols. The results improve our understanding of ovarian toxicity and support the use of fertility preservation strategies.

Increased Admissions Due to Cardiac Complications of Thyrotoxicosis in Māori

As thyrotoxicosis is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation, current guidelines recommend measuring a thyroid-stimulating hormone level in patients with this disorder. Hyperthyroidism may also be associated with other heart diseases including cardiac ischaemia and cardiac failure. Currently, the prevalence of thyrotoxicosis in cardiac admissions in the absence of a rhythm disorder is unknown. The aims of this study were: 1) to calculate the prevalence of admissions for thyrotoxicosis-associated cardiac disease, 2) determine the type of cardiac disease i.e. dysrhythmic, ischaemic or cardiac failure, and 3) to assess whether Māori are over-represented amongst patients admitted to hospital with cardiac complications of thyrotoxicosis. A retrospective review of admissions with both thyrotoxicosis and cardiac disease from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2012 inclusive. Seventy-two patients were identified as being admitted for a cardiac complication of thyrotoxicosis, giving a mean of nine admissions per year. Dysrhythmia was the cause for admission in 32 patients, ischaemia in 12, cardiac failure in 11 and mixed cardiac disease in 17. Graves' disease and amiodarone-induced were the most common causes of the thyrotoxicosis (25 and 19 cases, respectively). Of the cohort 26 (36.1%) were Māori (compared to 16.8% of all cardiac admissions over the same period). Māori were more likely to present with cardiac failure than non-Māori (57.7% vs. 26.1%, p=0.008 respectively). Māori are over-represented amongst patients admitted with cardiac complications of thyrotoxicosis and more often present with cardiac failure than non-Māori. Measurement of thyroid function should be considered in patients presenting not only with atrial fibrillation but also in patients presenting with cardiac failure, particularly if they are Māori.

Beneficial effects of Heqi san on rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome through the PI3K/AKT pathway

BackgroundHeqi San, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been reported to regulate hormone levels in patients with metabolic disease, suggesting a potential clinical application. In the current study, we aimed to elucidate the effect of Heqi San on rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).MethodPCOS model was established in female SD rats. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control, untreated PCOS model, Heqi San treated PCOS model (8.1 g/kg) and metformin (MET) treated PCOS model (135 mg/kg) groups. All animals were subcutaneously injected with 6 mg/100 g dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the neck once a day for 20 consecutive days. The serum hormone levels were measured by ELISA. The ovarian tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) to undergo pathological examination. The expression levels of GLTU4 and PTEN mRNA were examined by real time PCR. The crucial proteins in the PI3K/APT pathway were analyzed by western blotting. Then, the functions of the target genes were analyzed using bioinformatics approaches.ResultsWe found that Heqi San was able to recover the serum hormone levels and improve insulin resistance in PCOS rat model. A morphological lesion of the ovary was also restored with the Heqi San treatment. More importantly, we discovered a correlation between the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and the beneficial effects of Heqi San, demonstrating that its application could alter the expression levels of p-ERK, p-AKT, p-GSK3β, IRS-1, PTEN and GLTU4, all key factors in the PI3K/APT pathway. Through a bioinformatical analysis, we predicted the related gene function and pathway of the pathological mechanism of PCOS and found miRNAs that are likely to be critical in PCOS occurrence, including rno-miR-144-3p, rno-miR-30c-2-3p, rno-miR-486, rno-miR-3586-3p and rno-miR-146b-5p.ConclusionThe beneficial effects of Heqi on PCOS, including alter serum hormone levels, recover ovary morphological lesions and improve insulin resistance, which is mediated through the PI3K/AKT pathway.Graphical abstractThe potential role of miRNA-144-3p in PCOS pathogenesis.