ABSTRACT
Background: Polycyhc ovary syndrome PCOS is the most common cause of infertility due to anovulation. PCOS patients are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Controversial results were reported regarding levels of visfatin among PCOS patients
Objectives: the aim of the present study was to investigate serum visfatin, testosterone and insulin resistance and the association between these parameters in PCOS patients with and without clinical hyperandrogenism
Subjects and Methods: A total of forty PCOS patients and twenty age BMI-matched overweight healthy control subjects were enrolled in this study. PCOS patients were further divided according to the presence or the absence of clinical hyperandrogenism. Serum visfatin, testosterone, insulin and glucose were measured and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] was calculated
Results: PCOS patients had higher levels of visfatin, testosterone and HOMA-IR compared with the controls. Positive correlation was seen between insulin and testosterone in PCOS patients. PCOS patients with clinical hyperandrogenism had relatively higher levels of visfatin, testosterone and HOMA-IR compared with those without clinical hyperandrogenism. Furthermore, serum visfatin positively correlated with serum insulin and testosterone in PCOS patients with clinical hyperandrogenism, but not in those without clinical hvperandrogenism
Conclusion: There are strong relationships between visfatin and hyperinsulinemia, and hyperandrogenism. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the molecular mechanism behind these relationships