anandamide and Polycystic-Ovary-Syndrome

The endocannabinoid system is involved in the regulation of energy balance and ovarian function and may be implicated in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The purpose of the present study is to determine anandamide (AEA) levels in PCOS patients and controls and to analyze its association with metabolic and hormonal disturbances in women with PCOS.. The study included 88 women - 58 patients with PCOS (25.9±5.2 years) and 30 healthy controls (27.6±5.2 years). Further, patients were divided into two subgroups according to their waist-to-hip ratio (WHR): android type PCOS (WHR≥0.85; N.=26) and gynoid type PCOS (WHR<0.85; N.=32). Detailed anthropometric measurements, hormonal and biochemical tests and pelvic ultrasound were obtained between the 3rd and 5th day of a menstrual cycle. AEA was examined by ELISA kits.. Patients with PCOS and healthy controls did not differ in anthropometric, metabolic parameters, AEA, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels. The PCOS group had increased total testosterone, FAI, DHEAS, androstenedione, and 17-OH-progesterone levels (P<0.001) and elevated LH/FSH ratio (P=0.023). A negative correlation between AEA levels was found with glycaemia at 120 minutes (r=-0.304, P=0.020) and WHR (r=-0.266, P=0.044). In the subanalysis of patients, the gynoid type group had significantly higher levels of AEA than the android type PCOS (5.4 [2.3;8.8] vs. 2.5 [1.8;5.1]; P=0.020).. AEA did not differ between healthy women and patients, but a significant difference in its levels was found in PCOS patients divided according to their body constitution type.

Topics: Body Mass Index; Endocannabinoids; Female; Humans; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Waist-Hip Ratio

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic and endocrinal disorder affecting a number of women of reproductive age. We aimed to reveal the correlation between the endocannabinoid system and PCOS, which may provide a new therapeutic target for PCOS treatment.. Serum levels of anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol andexpression of cannabinoid receptors and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in the endometrium were compared between women with PCOS and infertile women without PCOS, as well as women with PCOS before and after treatment with Diane-35 and metformin. Cannabinoid receptors and FAAH in the endometrium were stained using the immunohistochemical method. Results were analyzed by calculating integrated optical density.. Plasma anandamide was increased significantly in women with PCOS compared with infertile women without PCOS. Treatment with Diane-35 and metformin reversed this increase in women with PCOS. No significant difference in 2-arachidonoylglycerol was observed between the infertile women with or without PCOS. The women with PCOS had lower endometrial expression of FAAH compared with infertile women without PCOS, whereas no significant difference in endometrial expression of cannabinoid receptors was observed between the women with PCOS and infertile women without PCOS. We found that after treatment with Diane-35 and metformin, FAAH expression tended toward a significant increase compared with women before the treatment.. Endocannabinoid system may be involved in the progression of PCOS, and serum anandamide could serve as a potential biomarker of clinical diagnosis of PCOS.

Topics: Adult; Amidohydrolases; Androgen Antagonists; Arachidonic Acids; Cyproterone Acetate; Drug Combinations; Endocannabinoids; Endometrium; Ethinyl Estradiol; Female; Glycerides; Humans; Infertility, Female; Metformin; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Receptors, Cannabinoid; Young Adult

To assess the levels of endocannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors (CB) 1 and 2 in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).. Case-control study.. University teaching hospital.. In total, 20 women with PCOS and 20 healthy women in a control group, who were matched for body mass index and age, were enrolled in this study.. The homeostasis model index was used to assess insulin resistance.. Omental adipose tissue and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from PCOS and the controls were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reactions for the expressions of CB1 and CB2. The levels of endocannabinoids were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography.. The levels of anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, and the expression of CB1 and CB2 mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid) in the PBMCs were significantly higher in the women with PCOS than in the women serving as controls. We found that expression of CB1, but not CB2, in adipose tissue was significantly higher in the women with, vs. without, PCOS. The expressions of CB1 mRNA and endocannabinoids showed a significant positive correlation with 2-hour glucose and insulin levels 2 hours after glucose loading in the PBMCs and adipose tissue.. Activation of endocannabinoids and overexpression of cannabinoid receptors, especially CB1, may be associated with insulin resistance in women with PCOS.

Topics: Adipose Tissue; Adult; Arachidonic Acids; Biomarkers; Case-Control Studies; Endocannabinoids; Female; Glycerides; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2; Young Adult