Study of androgen and androgen receptor in relation to insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

In order to investigate the relationship between serum testosterone level and expression of androgen receptors in ovary in relation to insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Serum testosterone levels were determined by radioimmunoassay in 17 patients with PCOS and 20 cases as control group. The expression of androgen receptor in ovary was detected by immunohistochemistry method. The results showed that serum testosterone level [(3.1±1.5) nmol/L] and insulin resistance index (0.85±0.49) in patients with PCOS were significantly higher than in control group (P<0.05), and showed a positive relation (r=0.65,P<0.01). The expression levels of androgen receptor in ovary of patients with PCOS were significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). The optical density value was positively related with insulin resistance index (r=0.59,P<0.01). It was concluded that androgen and androgen receptor could accelerate insulin resistance and the interaction of them might aggravate the pathophysiological change in PCOS.

Keywords

polycystic ovary syndrome / androgen / androgen receptor / insulin resistance

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