Increased plasma metastin levels in adolescent women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: This study was designed to: (1) measure metastin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and in adolescent controls; (2) investigate the possible correlations between metastin and PCOS-related reproductive and metabolic disturbances. Study design: The study was a clinical study. Nineteen adolescent women with PCOS, twenty-three adult women with the syndrome, and twenty adolescent controls were selected. Blood samples were collected between day 1 and day 5 of a spontaneous bleeding episode in the PCOS groups and of a menstrual cycle of the controls at 9 a.m. after an overnight fast. Circulating levels of LH, FSH, prolactin, testosterone (T), free testosterone, DHEAS, sex hormone-binding globulin, insulin, glucose and metastin were measured. Result(s): Plasma metastin levels are increased in adolescent women with PCOS compared to adolescent controls. Plasma metastin levels were positively correlated with LH levels, 2-h glucose levels and T levels. Conclusion(s): These results indicate that metastin is increased in adolescent PCOS women. The increased metastin levels were positively correlated with LH and T levels, and may affect the development of PCOS in adolescents. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.