Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), leptin, and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to investigate their relationship with each other and with clinical, metabolic, and hormonal parameters. DESIGN Clinical study. SETTING University hospital. PATIENT(S): Fifty-seven young women with PCOS (obese [n = 27] and nonobese [n = 30]) and 27 age-matched healthy controls. INTERVENTION(S): History and physical examination, peripheral venous blood sampling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Asymmetric dimethylarginine, RBP4, leptin, LH, FSH, DHEAS, total T, E(2), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). RESULT(S): Obese women with PCOS had significantly higher HOMA-IR, DHEAS, leptin, RBP4, and ADMA levels. Leptin levels were significantly increased in nonobese subjects with PCOS. Leptin and ADMA levels were positively correlated with HOMA-IR in PCOS. There was no correlation between RBP4 and HOMA-IR. Leptin, RBP4, and ADMA levels are positively correlated in PCOS. CONCLUSION(S): [1] Young obese women with PCOS have increased ADMA, RBP4, and leptin levels, and they are positively correlated with each other. [2] The increased levels of leptin are independent of obesity, and leptin seems to have an association with IR. [3] Levels of RBP4 may not reflect IR in PCOS.
