leuprolide and Abdominal-Pain

We have previously reported impressive results in using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog, leuprolide acetate (Lupron), in the treatment of moderate to severe symptoms (especially abdominal pain and nausea) in patients with functional bowel disease (FBD). Pain is the hallmark of patients with FBD, and there is no consistent therapy for the treatment of these patients. The purpose of the present study was to expand the investigation to study similar patients (menstruating females) in a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study using Lupron Depot (which delivers a continuous dose of drug for one month), 3.75 mg (N = 32) or 7.5 mg (N = 33), or placebo (N = 35) given intramuscularly every four weeks for 16 weeks. Symptoms were assessed using daily diary cards to record abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, early satiety, anorexia, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Additional assessment tools were quality of life questionnaires, psychological profile, oral-to-cecal transit using the hydrogen breath test, antroduodenal manometry, reproductive hormone levels, and global evaluations by both patient and investigator. Patients in both Lupron Depot-treated groups showed consistent improvement in symptoms; however, only the Lupron Depot 7.5 mg group showed a significant improvement for abdominal pain and nausea compared to placebo (P < 0.001). Patient quality of life assessments and global evaluations completed by both patient and investigators were highly significant compared to placebo (P < 0.001). All reproductive hormone levels significantly decreased for both Lupron Depot-treated groups by week 4 and were significantly different compared to placebo at week 16 (P < 0.001). This study shows that leuprolide acetate is effective in controlling the debilitating symptoms of abdominal pain and nausea in patients with FBD.

Topics: Abdominal Pain; Adult; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; Colonic Diseases, Functional; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Leuprolide; Middle Aged; Nausea; Quality of Life; Treatment Outcome

Ovarian hyperandrogenism from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hyperinsulinemia from insulin resistance are modulators of ovarian follicle development. We report on a woman with PCOS and hyperandrogenism and severe insulin resistance from metabolic syndrome who received long-term GnRH analogue therapy preceding bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for massive ovarian enlargement. Ovarian histological examination showed proliferating granulosa cells within antral follicles coexistent with serous cystadenofibromas, demonstrating a unique link between hyperinsulinemia and granulosa cell mitogenesis.. A 30-year-old woman with PCOS with hyperandrogenism, severe insulin resistance from metabolic syndrome, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis experienced abdominal pain from bilaterally enlarged ovaries. She had previously experienced a pulmonary embolism while taking oral contraceptives and hepatotoxicity from metformin and spironolactone therapies. Long-term GnRH analogue therapy to induce pituitary desensitization to GnRH successfully decreased gonadotropin-dependent steroidogenesis without improving insulin resistance. Despite GnRH analogue therapy, progressive ovarian enlargement in the presence of hyperinsulinemia from worsening metabolic function eventually required bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for removal of massively enlarged ovaries. Histological examination showed both ovaries contained proliferating granulosa cells within antral follicles coexistent with serous cystadenofibromas.. In women with PCOS and hyperinsulinemia from severe insulin resistance due to metabolic syndrome, granulosa cell proliferation within antral follicles can occur despite long-term GnRH analogue therapy, implicating hyperinsulinemia as a granulosa cell mitogen in the absence of gonadotropin-dependent ovarian function.

Topics: Abdominal Pain; Adult; Cell Proliferation; Cystadenofibroma; Female; Fertility Agents, Female; Granulosa Cells; Humans; Hyperandrogenism; Hyperinsulinism; Insulin Resistance; Leuprolide; Organ Size; Ovarian Follicle; Ovarian Neoplasms; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Salpingo-oophorectomy; Severity of Illness Index; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonography

Topics: Abdominal Pain; Danazol; Diagnosis, Differential; Dysmenorrhea; Endometriosis; Estrogen Antagonists; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Goserelin; Humans; Hysterectomy; Laparoscopy; Leuprolide; Menorrhagia; Nafarelin; Nursing Assessment; Physical Examination; Progesterone; Severity of Illness Index