Serum leptin concentrations in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

• Published in: The journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism Vol. 82; no. 6; pp. 1697 - 1700
• Main Authors: ROURU, J, ANTTILA, L, KOSKINEN, P, PENTTILÄ, T.-A, IRJALA, K, HUUPPONEN, R, KOULU, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Endocrine Society 01.06.1997
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Body Mass Index; Female; Female genital diseases; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Insulin - blood; Leptin; Medical sciences; Osmolar Concentration; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - blood; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - pathology; Proteins - analysis; Regression Analysis; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin - analysis; Testosterone - blood; Triglycerides - blood; Tumors; Human; Female sterility; Concentration; Polycystic ovary; Insulin; Female genital diseases; Blood plasma; Assay; Ovarian diseases; Target tissue resistance; Leptin; Cyst; Female; Hyperandrogenism; Metabolic interrelation; Benign neoplasm; Hormonal investigation
• ISSN: 0021-972X; 1945-7197
• DOI: 10.1210/jc.82.6.1697

The role of gonadotropins, androgens, and insulin in the regulation of circulating leptin levels is obscure. In order to clarify the relationships of these parameters we studied serum leptin levels in 19 healthy control subjects and in 35 hyperandrogenic and hyperinsulinemic patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Serum leptin concentrations did not differ significantly between PCOS patients and control subjects. When PCOS and control groups were analyzed together by univariate analysis, serum leptin was positively correlated with body mass index (BMI), body weight, serum insulin, serum triglyceride, and serum free testosterone concentrations. Serum leptin was inversely correlated with serum sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations. There were no significant correlations between serum leptin and testosterone, androstenedione, or gonadotropin concentrations. Serum insulin, triglyceride, and free testosterone concentrations were positively correlated, and serum SHBG was negatively correlated with BMI. However, when BMI on one hand and serum insulin, triglyceride, free testosterone, or SHBG on other hand were used as independent variables in the partial correlation analysis with leptin, BMI turned out to be the variable primarily responsible for all of the correlations with leptin. In conclusion, the concept that circulating leptin levels would be different in PCOS patients than in regularly menstruating control subjects is not supported by our data.