GHRELIN AND INSULIN RESISTANCE IN A SAMPLE OF IRAQI WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with adiposity and metabolic changes predisposing to insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. Ghrelin is an appetite-stimulating hormone, which acts through its receptor on the hypothalamus to regulate energy balance and thus plays a major role in the etiology of metabolic diseases.
Objective:To investigate the relation between ghrelin hormone and insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Methods: Thirty nine women with polycystic ovary syndrome and 30 healthy controls were examined. Fasting ghrelin, insulin, glucose, lipid profile concentrations were determined. Insulin resistance indexes were calculated (HOMA-IR and QUICKI-IR indexes).
Results:Serum ghrelin concentration was significantly lower in polycystic ovary syndrome patients than control subjects (235 ± 17.36 pg/ml Vs 489.7 ± 53.4 pg/ml). Insulin resistance and BMI were significantly higher in polycystic ovary syndrome than control group.
Conclusion: Ghrelin hormone may be used as a new additional marker in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. Hyperinsulinaemia and hyperleptinemia are associated features in polycystic ovary syndrome.
Keywords: Ghrelin, Obesity, Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), Body mass index (BMI), Insulin resistance