Author(s)

Carolina Fux Otta, Paula Szafryk de Mereshian, Raquel Kaplan, Gabriel Santino Iraci, Silvia Ojeda, José Ochoa, Andrés Albrecht, Natalia Filipone, Marta Fiol de Cuneo

Cátedra de Farmacología Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Córdoba, Argentina.
Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Córdoba, Argentina.
Departamento de Endocrinología y Diabetes, Hospital Universitario de Maternidad y Neonatología (HUM y N), Córdoba, Argentina.
Diangus, Diagnóstico por imágenes, docencia e investigación, Córdoba, Argentina.
Grupo de Probabilidad y Estadística, Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía y Física (UNC), Córdoba, Argentina.
Laboratorio MEGA, Rafaela, Santa Fe.

Objectives: to evaluate and compare serum adiponectin levels in different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to investigate their correlation with endocrine and metabolic parameters. Material and methods: we studied 5 groups of patients: A (n = 20): H (hyperandrogenism) + O (oligoanovulation) + P (polycystic ovary) [classic phenotype]; B (n = 17): H + O [classic phenotype but normal ovaries]; C (n = 15): H + P [Ovulatory phenotype]; D (n = 17): O + P [Normoandrogenic phenotype]; and E (n = 16) control group. Body mass index, waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, blood pressure and hirsutism were evaluated. Serum concentrations of adiponectin, insulin, Creactive protein, SHBG, androgens and lipids were measured. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed. Results: there were no differences between the groups in terms of age and BMI. Total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride levels were higher in phenotype A than in C (P < 0.05); HDL-C was slightly lower in phenotype D compared to E (P = 0.03). HOMA-IR, insulin and glucose/insulin ratio were significantly higher in phenotypes A and D vs C and E (P < 0.05). Serum adiponectin levels were lower in phenotype A (11.6 ± 8 ug/mL) than in the rest of the groups (B: 12.5 ± 8 ug/mL; C: 20.5 ± 8 ug/mL; D: 17.4 ± 4 ug/mL; E: 20 ± 6 ug/mL). This diference reached statistical significance when comparing group A with groups C and E (P < 0.05). Adiponectin levels were significant and negatively correlated with total testosterone, free androgen index, androstenedione, DHEAS, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, LH/FSH, insulin, HOMA-IR, Creactive protein, LDL-C, triglycerides, and waist/hip ratio. A positive correlation was found with glucose/insulin ratio and HDL-C (P < 0.05). Conclusions: adiponectin serum concentrations vary according to the phenotypic expression of PCOS. Our results suggest that adiponectin could be used as a biochemical marker to identify phenotypes at increased metabolic risk.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Phenotypes; Adiponectin

C. Fux Otta, P. Szafryk de Mereshian, R. Kaplan, G. Santino Iraci, S. Ojeda, J. Ochoa, A. Albrecht, N. Filipone and M. Fiol de Cuneo, "Serum Adiponectin levels in Different Phenotypes of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome," Open Journal of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Vol. 2 No. 4, 2012, pp. 125-131. doi: 10.4236/ojemd.2012.24019.