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The effect of vitamin D replacement therapy on insulin resistance and androgen levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

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Abstract

Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the common features of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and recent studies indicate the possible role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of IR and glucose metabolism. Aim of this study was aimed to determine the effect of vitamin D replacement therapy on glucose metabolism, insulin, and androgen levels in obese, insulin-resistant women with PCOS. Eleven women with PCOS were included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 23.6±5.7 yr, body mass index 33.9±5.1 kg/m2. Six patients (54.5%) had acantosis nigricans and 10 (90.9%) oligoamenorrhea. The mean Ferriman Gallwey score was 14.1 ±4.6. Only 2 women were within the normal limits of vitamin D levels as >20 ng/ml. Three weeks after the administration of the single dose of 300,000 units of vitamin D3 orally, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 significantly increased from 16.9±16 ng/ml to 37.1 ±14.6 ng/ml (p: 0.027) and only 2 women were detected to have vitamin D3 levels <20 ng/ml. Although glucose and insulin levels were decreased non-significantly, homeostasis model assesment (HOMA)-IR significantly decreased from 4.41 ±1.38 to 3.67±1.48 (p: 0.043). No significant alterations were witnessed at the levels of DHEAS, total and free testosterone, androstenedione. No correlation was found between vitamin D with HOMA and other hormonal parameters. In conclusion, women with PCOS have mostly insufficient vitamin D levels, and vitamin D replacement therapy may have a benefical effect on IR in obese women with PCOS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology, Malatya State Hospital, Malatya

    H. Selimoglu

  2. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism Meram YeniYol, Konya Education and Research Hospital, 42100, Meram-Konya, Turkey

    C. Duran MD

  3. Division of Endocrinology, Bursa, Turkey

    S. Kiyici, C. Ersoy, M. Guclu, E. Tuncel, E. Erturk & S. Imamoglu

  4. Division of Biostatistic, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey

    G. Ozkaya

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  1. H. Selimoglu
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Selimoglu, H., Duran, C., Kiyici, S. et al. The effect of vitamin D replacement therapy on insulin resistance and androgen levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Endocrinol Invest 33, 234–238 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03345785

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