Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with insulin resistance, central obesity and dyslipidaemia. Furthermore, abnormal aminotransferase activity is common in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. The aim of this study is to assess the γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in women with PCOS in whom non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was excluded by history, serum testing and abdominal ultrasonography.

Study design: Present work is included 135 consecutive outpatient between January and July 2006. Ninety patients for the diagnosis of PCOS and 45 age-matched healthy subjects in the control group. Women with PCOS were separated into two groups. Group A were treated with 0.035 mg of Ethinyl Oestradiol and 2 mg of cyproterone acetate for 6 months. Group B did not take any drug. Serum levels of ALT, as-partat aminotransferase (AST), GGT, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lipid and glucose metabolism parameters were measured on the 6th month of treatment.

Results: The plasma levels of both ALT and GGT were significantly higher in the subjects with PCOS (total) compared to the controls. Serum GGT levels were significantly higher in the group A and B than in controls, whereas no difference was found between group A and B. On the other hand group B had significantly higher ALT levels than in controls. However, no differences in ALT levels were found between group A and controls.

Conclusions: The ALT and/or GGT levels are important in the pathogenesis of PCOS and that hepatic enzymes may be useful additional measures in identifying women at high risk of metabolic syndrome.