Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2007) 14 P652

Institute of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Diseases of Metabolism, Belgrade, Serbia.


It was shown that obesity and insulin resistance may influence ghrelin levels. Contraversial results were observed considering ghrelin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The aim of our study was to investigate the basal ghrelin levels in obese patients with PCOS and to evaluate possible correlations between ghrelin levels, insulin resistance and, androgen levels. In 10 obese PCOS patients (BMI 32.50±1.57 kg/m2, age: 21.4±0.85 years) and 8 obese controls (BMI 32.54±1.95 kg/m2, age: 28.12±1.51 years) basal ghrelin (RIA, Linco, USA, pg/ml) and testosteron (RIA, INEP, nmol/l) levels were determinated. Insulin sensitivity was determinated using euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (M index).

Results: There was significant difference in ghrelin levels between PCOS patients and controls (42.65±26.91 vs 96.33±37.34, P<0.05), while M index was lower in PCOS patients but there was no significant difference (2.39±0.59 vs 3.46±0.92, P>0.05). There was negative correlation between ghrelin and testosterone levels (r=−0.78, P<0.05) and there was no correlation between ghrelin levels and M index (r=−0.12, P>0.05). In conclusion, obese PCOS patients have lower ghrelin levels than obese heathy women. In addition, a negative correlation between ghrelin and testosteron levels might suggest an interaction between ghrelin and steroid synthesis or action.

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