Vol 86, No 4 (2015)
ARTICLES
The role of insulin and selected adipocytokines
in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
(PCOS) – a literature review
Katarzyna E. Ożegowska, Leszek A. Pawelczyk
DOI: 10.17772/gp/2077
·
Ginekol Pol 2015;86(4).
Vol 86, No 4 (2015)
ARTICLES
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in women of reproductive age. It is manifested
by hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovaries on ultrasound, oligomenorrhoea and anovulation. PCOS patients
are more vulnerable to metabolic disorders: insulin resistance, obesity, endothelium dysfunction, atherosclerosis,
and activation of proinflammatory factors. This association shows that PCOS might be an ovarian manifestation
of a metabolic syndrome. Insulin resistance is also strongly correlated with reproductive failure. Approximately 100
factors, secreted in adipose tissue, are responsible for its regulation. Adipocytokines have been found to play an
important role in regulating insulin sensitivity. Abnormal levels of adipokines are detected in patients with insulin
resistance.
Studies indicate that these factors, and their different activity in PCOS women, may affect changes observed in their
metabolism and, especially, may participate in the development of insulin resistance. There are several adipokines
whose role has been thoroughly investigated and many that we still know very little about, for example apelin and
visfatin.
Counseling PCOS patients about the possibility of developing metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular
diseases should be a standard of care.
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in women of reproductive age. It is manifested
by hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovaries on ultrasound, oligomenorrhoea and anovulation. PCOS patients
are more vulnerable to metabolic disorders: insulin resistance, obesity, endothelium dysfunction, atherosclerosis,
and activation of proinflammatory factors. This association shows that PCOS might be an ovarian manifestation
of a metabolic syndrome. Insulin resistance is also strongly correlated with reproductive failure. Approximately 100
factors, secreted in adipose tissue, are responsible for its regulation. Adipocytokines have been found to play an
important role in regulating insulin sensitivity. Abnormal levels of adipokines are detected in patients with insulin
resistance.
Studies indicate that these factors, and their different activity in PCOS women, may affect changes observed in their
metabolism and, especially, may participate in the development of insulin resistance. There are several adipokines
whose role has been thoroughly investigated and many that we still know very little about, for example apelin and
visfatin.
Counseling PCOS patients about the possibility of developing metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular
diseases should be a standard of care.
Keywords
metabolic syndrome / insulin resistance / polycystic ovary syndrome /
/ adipocytokines
Title
The role of insulin and selected adipocytokines
in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
(PCOS) – a literature review
Journal
Ginekologia Polska
Issue
Vol 86, No 4 (2015)
Page views
3197
Article views/downloads
2319
DOI
10.17772/gp/2077
Bibliographic record
Ginekol Pol 2015;86(4).
Keywords
metabolic syndrome / insulin resistance / polycystic ovary syndrome /
/ adipocytokines
Authors
Katarzyna E. Ożegowska
Leszek A. Pawelczyk