Differences in low-grade chronic inflammation and insulin resistance in women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus and women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are both characterized by an increase in insulin resistance. Our goal in the present study was to measure insulin resistance (as estimated by homeostasis model assessment, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and adiponectin concentrations) and parameters of low-grade inflammation in non-diabetic, non-hyperandrogenic ovulatory women with previous GDM (pGDM) and in non-diabetic women with classic PCOS, characterized by hyperandrogenism and oligo/anovulation.

PATIENTS AND DESIGN:

We evaluated 20 women with PCOS, 18 women with pGDM and 19 controls, all matched according to body mass index (BMI). Fasting blood samples were drawn in all women 3-6 days after spontaneous or dydrogesterone-induced withdrawal bleeding. Body fat distribution was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in all women.

RESULTS:

After adjusting for age and percent body fat, measures of insulin resistance such as SHBG and adiponectin concentrations were decreased and central obesity was increased in women with PCOS and pGDM compared with controls (all p < 0.05). Parameters of low-grade inflammation such as serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and highly sensitive C-reactive protein concentrations, white blood cell and neutrophil count were increased only in women with PCOS compared with BMI-matched controls (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Certain markers of insulin resistance are increased in both women with PCOS and women with pGDM, while low-grade inflammation is increased only in PCOS. PCOS and GDM might represent specific phenotypes of one disease entity with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, whereby women with PCOS demonstrate an augmented cardiovascular risk profile.

• Authors: Robert Thomann, Nadia Rossinelli, Ulrich Keller, Brigitte Frey Tirri, Christian De Geyter, Juan Ruiz, Marius Kränzlin, Jardena J Puder
• Journal: Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology (Gynecol Endocrinol) Vol. 24 Issue 4 Pg. 199-206 (Apr 2008) ISSN: 0951-3590 [Print] England
• PMID: 18382906 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Lipids
• Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics

• Adult
• Body Fat Distribution
• Case-Control Studies
• Chronic Disease
• Diabetes, Gestational (blood, epidemiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Inflammation (blood, epidemiology, etiology, pathology)
• Insulin Resistance (physiology)
• Lipids (blood)
• Metabolic Syndrome (epidemiology)
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (blood, complications, epidemiology)
• Pregnancy
• Reproductive History
• Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (analysis)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (blood)