Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: It is believed that key pathogenic mechanism of PCOS is hyperinsulinemia. Insulin synthesis is linked to C-peptide release, but the role of C-peptide in PCOS remains unknown.

Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate of C-peptide serum levels in obese women with PCOS with concomitant assessment of possible link between C-peptide concentrations and metabolic disturbances and androgens levels in those individuals.

Sixty obese women (aged 26.2±6.3 years; body mass index 35.0±4.45 kg/m²) diagnosed with PCOS were included to the study. The control group consisted of 10 healthy, ovulatory women with normal weight (aged 28.8±4.8 years; BMI 21.2±2.1 kg/m²).

Folliculotrophin (FSH), lutrophin (LH), 17β-estradiol (E₂), testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and insulin serum concentrations were measured. Serum fasting glucose levels and lipid profile was assessed: total cholersterol (TCH), triglycerides (TGA), low and high density lipoproteins (LDL, HDL).

Results: C-peptide serum concentrations in studied group were 1.31±1.05 nmol/l, whereas among healthy women 1.62±1.56 nmol/l. Obtained differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). C-peptide serum level were not correlated significantly with the FSH, LH, E₂, T, DHEAS levels. Negative correlation between glucose and C-peptide serum levels was found (Spearman index R=−0.71, P<0.05) in control group, whereas in PCOS and obesity group there was no correlation between these values.

Conclusion: There were no differences in C-peptide serum level between study and control group. C-peptide serum concentrations were not correlated with androgens. The relation between C-peptide and hyperinsulinemia and metabolic disturbances is complicated and requires further studies.