Endocrine Abstracts

Objectives: Insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2 (IGF1 and IGF2) are widely expressed mitogenic peptides playing a role in the fetal developement and differentiation. Evidence suggest their possible involvement in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and probably in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Aim: Aim of the study was to assess the relationship of serum IGF1, IGF2 and IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) levels to steroid hormones and metabolic parameters in PCOS women.

Subjects and methods: The study included 56 Caucasian women diagnosed with PCOS (age 28.62±5,2 years, range 19-43). All patients were examined for parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism, sexual steroid hormones and serum IGF1, IGF2 as well as IGFBP₃ levels.

Results: Nonobese PCOS women had higher IGF1 than those with BMI>25 with borderline significance (211±15.6 v.s. 160.7±16, P=0.06). No significant differences in serum IGF2 and IGFBP₃ levels in women according to BMI have been detected. IGF1 negatively correlated with HOMA IR (R²=0.23, P=0.03), waist circumference (R²=0.15, P=0.045) and triacylglycerols (R²=0.23, P=0.02), but not with sexual steroids. On the other side IGFBP₃ was in positive correlation with TAG (R²=0.22, P=0.0215), total cholesterol (R²=0.2, P=0,028), LDL cholesterol (R²=0.2, P=0.03), dihydrotestosterone (R²=0.14, P=0.049) and estrone (R²=0.21, P=0.014). Neither correlation between serum IGF2 and metabolic variables nor between IGF2 and steroid hormones have been detected.

Conclusion: We conclude that higher IGFBP3 level is more related to metabolic parameters and steroid hormones in PCOS women than both serum IGF1 and IGF2. Further studies are needed.