Korean J Intern Med.  2013 Jul;28(4):456-463. 10.3904/kjim.2013.28.4.456.

Adipokines, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 levels, and insulin sensitivity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

• Lee H
• Oh JY
• Sung YA

• KMID: 1503783
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2013.28.4.456

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Many women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) exhibit insulin resistance. Adipose tissue plays an important role in insulin resistance, and adipokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and adiponectin are altered in PCOS. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), alone or in conjunction with other adipokines, is also associated with insulin resistance. We evaluated the effects of TNF-alpha, adiponectin, and IGFBP-3 on insulin sensitivity and the relationships among these proteins in women with PCOS.
METHODS
We recruited 40 women with PCOS and 40 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched regular cycling women (controls). The women were divided into obese (BMI > or = 25 kg/m2) and nonobese (BMI < 25 kg/m2) groups. Anthropometric measurements were performed, and serum levels of TNF-alpha, adiponectin, and IGFBP-3 were determined. Insulin sensitivity was estimated using the metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of glucose calculated from the oral glucose tolerance test.
RESULTS
Serum levels of TNF-alpha and IGFBP-3 did not differ between the PCOS and control groups, but adiponectin levels in the PCOS group were lower than those in control women in the nonobese group (p < 0.05). TNF-alpha, adiponectin, and IGFBP-3 levels were not correlated with each other in women with PCOS, but a significant positive correlation was observed between adiponectin levels and MCR (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that adiponectin levels were significantly associated with insulin sensitivity (p < 0.05) in women with PCOS.
CONCLUSIONS
IGFBP-3 and TNF-alpha levels were not associated with insulin sensitivity, but adiponectin levels were related to insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS.

Keyword

Adiponectin; Tumor necrosis factor-alpha; Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3; Polycystic ovary syndrome

MeSH Terms

Adiponectin/*blood
Adult
Biological Markers/blood
Case-Control Studies
Female
Humans
*Insulin Resistance
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3/*blood
Obesity/blood
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/*blood
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/*blood
Young Adult
Adiponectin
Biological Markers
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha