Relation of elevated androgen to lipid profile in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome is considered to be the most prevalent endocrinopathy resulting from anovulation and affects 5-10% of women. Both insulin resistance and hyperandrogenemia predispose polycystic ovary syndrome patients to atherogenic lipid profile. It is not clear however what role hyperandrogenism has on the development of the metabolic syndrome.Objective: To investigate the effect of elevated androgen level in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome on lipid profile.Methods: Between October 2012 and October 2013, forty polycystic ovary syndrome patients and forty healthy controls were recruited into this cross sectional study where the following parameters were determined for PCOS patients and compared to healthy control: Serum Follicle stimulating hormone , Luteinizing hormone level and testosterone levels. Serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein) were measured by spectrophotometry by enzymatic colorimetric method. Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between the lipid parameters and the testosterone level.Results: This study has showed that the luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone are significantly different between the two groups(8.4±1.16 vs. 7.02±1.8; p=0.002, 4.43±1.3 vs. 5.4±1.24; p=0.04, 2.104±1.161 vs. 0.82±0.32; p=0.001 respectively). Regarding lipid profile, Polycystic ovary syndrome patient display lower high density lipoproteins level (40.3143±7.5994 vs. 45.7272±11.348; p<0.001) and higher triglyceride level (168.6±34.6401 vs. 129.625±45.4125; p<0.001). In linear regression analysis total cholesterol was positively associated with testosterone level and High density lipoprotein cholesterol was negatively associated with testosterone level(regression coefficient = 0.313 for total cholesterol, r=0.409 for High density lipoprotein-cholesterol). No association was observed between Low density lipoprotein-cholesterol or triglyceride levels with testosterone level.Conclusion: Our results suggest that the characteristic hyperandrogenemia in women with PCOS were associated with dyslipidemia.