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Horm Metab Res 2004; 36(3): 170-173
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-814341
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Elevated Ghrelin Plasma Levels in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

R.  Waśko1 , H.  Komarowska1 , A.  Warenik-Szymankiewicz2 , J.  Sowiński1
  • 1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poland
  • 2Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poland
Further Information

Publication History

Received 4 June 2003

Accepted after second revision 27 October 2003

Publication Date:
01 April 2004 (online)

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Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common endocrine disorder in women. It is associated with hirsuitism, obesity, insulin resistance, abnormality in the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) axis and polycystic ovaries. The etiology of PCOS has not been clarified. Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor. It is mainly secreted by stomach cells but has also been shown to be present in hypothalamus, pituitary, pancreas and gonads. Ghrelin is a regulator of energy homeostasis and GH secretion. The influence of ghrelin on insulin secretion and gonadal function is known. Since ghrelin may play an important role in pathophysiology of PCOS, we studied ghrelin levels in a group of 52 women with PCOS and in 16 women in a control group. Plasma levels of insulin, total testosterone, SHBG, LH, and FSH were also measured. In conclusion, PCOS women have higher ghrelin levels than controls. Ghrelin negatively correlates with BMI and insulin levels in PCOS group. A relation between ghrelin and SHBG was observed. Our data suggest that ghrelin could be the possible link in PCOS etiology.

Key words

Women - Insulin - Obesity - Androgens - Growth hormone - Insulin-like growth factor I axis

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R. Waśko, M. D.

Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism · University of Medical Sciences Poznań

Ul. Przybyszewskiego 49 · 60-355 Poznań · Poland

Phone: +48(61)86913 32

Fax: +48(61)8691682

Email: endonucl@mail.am.poznan.pl

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