Serum total L-carnitine levels in non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND: Carnitine plays essential roles in energy production, oxidative stress and glucose metabolism. This study was planned to determine serum total l-carnitine levels in non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: There were 27 non-obese women with PCOS and 30 healthy, age- and body mass index (BMI) matched controls were evaluated in this controlled clinical study. Serum lipid sub-fractions, fasting glucose, insulin and other hormones (gonadotrophins, androgens) and total l-carnitine levels were measured. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) was used to estimate insulin resistance. RESULTS: The women with PCOS had significantly higher serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, total testosterone, free androgen index (FAI), luteinizing hormone (LH), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, non-high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, fasting insulin levels and HOMA-IR measurement and LH/FSH ratios than healthy women. However, total l-carnitine and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels were significantly lower in women with PCOS. l-Carnitine level was negatively correlated with FAI, but positively correlated with SHBG. Multiple regression analysis revealed that SHBG was a strong predictor of serum total l-carnitine level. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased total l-carnitine levels may be associated with hyperandrogenism and/or insulin resistance in non-obese women with PCOS. Long-term studies are needed to evaluate carnitine metabolism in PCOS, especially with regard to the molecular basis. © The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved

AN OPEN PILOT STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFECTS OF METFORMIN AND LIFE STYLE

Background. The prevention of type 2 diabetes has great clinical importance. Many pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic methods are used to prevent type 2 DM. Metformin reduces the risk of developing diabetes in insulin resistant subjects. Oxidative stress plays pivotal roles in the pathogenesis and complications of diabetes mellitus. Paraoxonase 1 has antioxidant capacity.Objective. This study was planned to assess the effects of metformin and life style changes on paraoxonase activity and oxidative stress markers in premenopausal, obese, insulin resistant women.Design.Open-pilot clinical study.Subjects and methods. Thirty-two insulin resistant, premenopausal, obese women were enrolled into this clinical study. These women were treated by diet + exercise + metformin (1700 mg/d) for 6-month interval. All anthropometric characteristics, serum fasting and postprandial glucose, fasting insulin, paraoxonase, arylesterase, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and lipid sub-fractions were measured at the commencement and the finish of the study. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) was used to estimate insulin resistance.Results. Significantly reduced body weight, body mass index, waist circumference measurements, HOMA-IR and scrum fasting insulin, postprandial glucose, triglyceride, MDA levels and paraoxonase/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio were observed at the end of the study compared with initial evaluations. Conversely, there were considerable increases in serum arylesterase and HDL-C levels following the treatment. Nevertheless, the increase in scrum PON-1 level was statistically insignificant. Arylesterase was inversely correlated with TC, LDL-C levels and HOMA-IR.Conclusions. Met formin treatment with intensive life-style modification may be appropriate management in premenopausal, obese, insulin resistant women who have increased propensity for the development of type 2 diabetes, although long-term, controlled studies are needed for evaluation in greater detail

Paraoxonase levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To determine paraoxonase (PON1) levels and whether paraoxonase activity is associated with an increased propensity for the development of cardiovascular disease in women with polycystic (PCOS)

Paraoxonase levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To determine paraoxonase (PON1) levels and whether paraoxonase activity is associated with an increased propensity for the development of cardiovascular disease in women with polycystic (PCOS)

lipids in healthy, postmenopausal women

Background/Aims: Serum lipid concentrations worsen after the menopause because of estrogen deficiency, leading to an increased atherogenic pattern. It is known that serum paraoxonase (PON1) activity prevents the development of atherosclerosis. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to observe the effects of intranasal 17 beta-estradiol (300 mu g/day) on serum PON1 and lipid levels in healthy postmenopausal women. Methods: 48 healthy, postmenopausal women were enrolled into this cross-sectional study. 28 subjects without an intact uterus and ovaries were using single-dose (300 mu g/day) intranasal 17 beta-estradiol and 20 subjects with spontaneous natural menopause were not on any hormone therapy. Body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, serum follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, fasting glucose, insulin, lipid fractions and PON1 levels were measured. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-R) was used to estimate insulin resistance. Results:The higher estradiol, high-density lipoprotein and salt-stimulated paraoxonase (SSP) levels were observed in intranasal 17 beta-estradiol users in comparison with non-users. There were no statistically significant differences in BMI, blood pressures, other lipid fractions, basal paraoxonase, arylesterase, fasting glucose and insulin levels, HOMA-R between the groups. SSP was inversely associated with fasting insulin levels and HOMA-R. Conclusion: These observations may suggest that intranasal 17 beta-estradiol does not have harmful effects on the PON1 activity and lipid metabolism. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.C1 Afyon Kocatepe Univ, Sch Med, Dept Obstet & Gynecol, Afyon, Turkey.Afyon Kocatepe Univ, Sch Med, Dept Biochem, Afyon, Turkey.Pamukkale Univ, Sch Med, Dept Internal Med, Div Endocrinol & Metab, Denizli, Turkey

Bone Involvement: Case Report

The SAPHO syndrome (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis) is a rare syndrome with precise bone lesions and dermatologic manifestations. We report an unusual case of SAPHO syndrome with joint involvement preceding the appearance of psoriasis by years. Another unusual feature noted in our case was the multiple involvement of bone and joints. These patients can successfully be treated with steroids and methotrexate with a long-term remission. We present our case in the light of evidence obtained by an extensive review of the literature, to support the view that SAPHO may not be rare at all, but may easily be confused with seronegative spondyloarthropathy and/or psoriatic arthritis