Hum. Reprod. Advance Access originally published online on September 30, 2005
Human Reproduction 2006 21(1):121-128; doi:10.1093/humrep/dei312
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Rosiglitazone and ethinyl estradiol/cyproterone acetate as single and combined treatment of overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome and insulin resistance
Départements d’Obstétrique–Gynécologie et de Biologie Médicale, Centre de Recherche, Hôpital St-François d’Assise, CHUQ, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
1 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Hôpital St-François d’Assise (CHUQ), 10 rue de l’Espinay, Québec P.Q., Canada G1L 3L5. E-mail: andre.lemay{at}ogy.ulaval.ca
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Abstract |
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BACKGROUND: Few studies have evaluated insulin sensitizers in comparison/association with oral contraceptives (OC) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with insulin resistance (IR). This study assessed the effects of a thiazolidinedione versus an anti-androgenic estrogen–progestin followed by their sequential combinations in overweight PCOS women. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-eight candidates in whom elevated insulin was not normalized after 4 months of diet were randomly assigned to 6 months of rosiglitazone 4 mg/day or to ethinyl estradiol 35 mg/cyproterone acetate 2 mg (EE/CPA: 21/28 days cycle). Each group then received both medications for another 6 months. Rosiglitazone reduced insulin, IR indices [homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and quantitative sensitivity check index (QUICKI)] and the insulin area under the curve in response to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), but had limited effect on lipids, androgens and hirsutism. EE/CPA did not modify insulin and OGTT response but increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides and decreased androgens and hirsutism. Similar changes occurred during combined treatments. End results were highly significant in combined groups without noticeable side-effects or changes in safety parameters. CONCLUSIONS: In obese PCOS women with high insulin not corrected by diet, the combination of rosiglitazone and EE/CPA may be used to achieve complementary beneficial effects on endocrine–metabolic anomalies and clinical symptoms.
Key words: insulin resistance/insulin sensitizer/oral contraceptives/polycystic ovarian disease
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Introduction |
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The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as recently redefined by the association of two out of three anomalies (oligo-ovulation/anovulation, hyperandrogenaemia and polycystic ovaries at ultrasound), is rather prevalent and frequently associated with insulin resistance (IR) (ESHRE–ASRM, 2004
). The proportion of PCOS subjects with IR has been estimated to be 
50% in either obese or non-obese women (ESHRE-ASRM, 2004). Recent data indicate a higher prevalence reaching 95% in obese PCOS patients depending on methods to assess IR (Carmina and Lobo, 2004; Legro et al., 2004).
In cases with IR, insulin sensitizers are being used in PCOS women to lower insulin which plays a strategic role in anovulation, hyperandrogenaemia, weight gain and dyslipidaemia (Prelevic, 1997; Livingstone and Collison, 2002). According to a Cochrane review, metformin, which acts mainly through inhibition of glucose production by the liver, is considered effective and safe to induce ovulation and to favour pregnancy (Lord et al., 2003). However, data gathered from infertility studies concerning androgens, lipids and hirsutism are limited and indicate little impact on endocrine–metabolic anomalies of the syndrome (Lord et al., 2003). By binding to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR-
), thiazolidinediones are implicated in the transcription of several factors involved in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, mainly in the adipose and muscle tissues (Camp et al., 2000; Hsueh and Law, 2003). Troglitazone, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone have also been shown effective in restoring fertility and appear promising in improving endocrine and metabolic abnormalities (Dunaif et al., 1996; Hasegawa et al., 1999; Azziz et al., 2001; Romualdi et al., 2003; Shobokshi and Shaarawy, 2003; Brettenthaler et al., 2004; Guido et al., 2004a; Sepilian and Nagamani, 2005).
The usual medication for PCOS women not seeking a pregnancy is the use of an oral contraceptive (OC) to inhibit excess ovarian androgen and hirsutism and to control endometrial growth and uterine bleeding. In normal women the intake of various estrogen–progestin formulations has been associated with a decrease in insulin sensitivity which is mainly related to the estrogen content of the formulation and the weight of the subject (Godsland et al., 1990). Heterogeneous results have been reported concerning the evaluation of IR in PCOS subjects taking an OC (Prelevic et al., 1990; Korytkowski et al., 1995; Escobar-Morreale et al., 2000; Morin-Papunen et al., 2000, 2003; Cagnacci et al., 2003; Harborne et al., 2003; Guido et al., 2004a; Cibula et al., 2005). Most recent data indicate that low dose OC oppose or restrict the effect of metformin and anti-obesity agents in improving IR in PCOS (Elter et al., 2002; Ibanez and de Zegher, 2003, 2004a,b; Sabuncu et al., 2003; Mitkov et al., 2004; Cibula et al., 2005).
This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and possible interaction of a thiazolidinedione versus an estrogen–progestin having a direct anti-androgen action on the endocrine and metabolic anomalies of the syndrome. In overweight PCOS women having high insulin not corrected by a preparatory diet, the insulin sensitizer rosiglitazone and an OC containing estradiol–cyproterone acetate (EE/CPA) was initially used alone for 6 months and in reciprocal combination for another 6 months to assess respective actions of each medication and their eventual interactions. The results of this protocol indicate that when used as single agent, rosiglitazone mainly reduces IR whereas EE/CPA normalizes androgens and improves hirsutism. The combination of both medications adds complementary benefits without antagonizing effects, noticeable side-effects or changes in safety parameters.
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Materials and methods |
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Study population
This research was approved by the Ethics Committee of the St-François d’Assise Hospital of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Quebec. The volunteers were recruited through local newspaper advertising and referral from physicians. The following criteria were used at screening: age between 18 and 45 years old with at least two previous menses and without menopausal symptoms, evidence of PCOS according to the presence of two out of three criteria as revised by a recent consensus on PCOS (ESHRE-ASRM, 2004): (i) oligomenorrhoea (<8 uterine bleedings/year) or amenorrhoea (
2 uterine bleedings/year); (ii) elevated levels of androgens (testosterone >1.5 nmol/l and/or androstenedione >10 nmol/l); and (iii) presence of micro-cysts (12 follicles measuring 2–9 mm in diameter) surrounding otherwise enlarged ovaries (>10 cm3) (Balen et al., 2003). A high fasting insulin (>90 pmol/l) with normal glucose (<6 mmol/l)) was also required as evidence of IR. The threshold levels were based on reference values for a normal population of women aged 18–40 years old as estimated in our institution for testosterone (90th percentile) and for a general population of women by the manufacturers of the assays for androstenedione and insulin. The exclusion criteria were: actual desire for pregnancy, hysterectomy, abnormal endometrial biopsy if abnormal bleeding in the last 6 months, clinical evidence of Cushing’s syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (17-OH progesterone >10 nmol/l), excessive androgens suspicious of a tumour, prolactin levels >50 mg/l, severe renal or hepatic disease, gastrointestinal condition interfering with drug absorption, previous breast, uterus, ovary or liver neoplasia, previous use of a drug to lower glucose, lipid or insulin or an oral contraceptive in the last 2 months, previous use of diuretic, 
-blocker, corticoid, hormonal replacement therapy in the last 3 months, depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate injection in the last year and a research drug in the last 2 months, alcohol intake >40 g/day and smoking >10 cigarettes/day.
Study design
Admissible candidates were started on diet low in refined sugar for 4 months before randomization to drug treatment. Subjects were also encouraged to exercise daily whenever possible (Figure 1). Subjects who failed to normalize their fasting insulin (<90 pmol/l on two assessments two weeks apart) at the end of the 4th month were randomized to take first the thiazolidinedione or the estrogen–progestin. Computer-generated allocation blocks of four to six subjects were used for randomization which was done by phone call the morning of starting the medication. After 6 months of single treatment, the two medications were administered together for 6 more months. Diet and physical activity recommendations were maintained throughout the study..
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Medical treatment
Diet recommendations were explained by a dietitian to correct for dietary habits when appropriate and to maintain a desirable weight while minimizing refined sugars. At the beginning of the study and at each visit, subjects were encouraged to do a physical activity for 30 consecutive minutes whenever possible each day.
The oral formulation containing 35 mg of ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg of cyproterone acetate (Diane 35: Berlex Canada, Montreal, Québec, Canada) was taken daily 21 out of 28 days. Oral rosiglitazone (Avandia: GlaxoSmithKline, Montreal, Québec, Canada) was taken at a daily dose of 4 mg before breakfast.
Clinical assessment
Visits were scheduled at months –4 and –2 during the pre-medication diet phase, at baseline (month 0) and every 3 months during the treatment phase (months 3, 6, 9 and 12) for clinical evaluation and blood sampling. For measurement of glucose, insulin and lipid profile, the blood sample was drawn in a sitting position after a 12 h fast. A 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was also done at months 0, 6 and 12.
The feeding habits were evaluated by a 3 day food diary record including a weekend day. Compliance to the diet was assessed by repeated 3 day food diaries at the scheduled visits. Detailed analysis of food intake could then be done using a computer program calculating proportions of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, small nutrients and alcohol based on nutrient values of Canadian common foods (Canada Health Services and Promotion Branch, 1988).
Physical activity was evaluated and scored by asking the patient at scheduled visits how many times they practised a physical activity for 20–30 min in the last 3 months. Scores given were 1 for no activity or baseline daily activity, 2 for less than once per month, 3 for once per month, 4 for two or three times per month, 5 for one or two times per week and 6 for three times or more per week (Gionet and Godin, 1989).
Clinical symptoms were evaluated using a monthly diary card for occurrence of uterine bleedings, side-effects, intake of treatment drugs and other possible medications. Uterine bleeding was induced by the intake of medroxyprogesterone acetate (10 mgx10 days) whenever there was no spontaneous bleeding after 8 weeks during the diet preparatory phase and the administration of rosiglitazone alone in group A. Hirsutism was assessed every 3 months using the Ferriman–Gallwey score (Ferriman and Gallwey, 1961). For clinical safety evaluation, patients were asked at each visit for the monthly occurrence of a series of clinical symptoms usually associated with side-effects (fatigue, dizziness, hot flashes, sudation, sugar craving, headache, diarrhoea, breast tenderness, nausea, vomiting and fluid retention or any peculiar sign or symptom). Safety laboratory tests at each 3-monthly visit included: hepatic glutamic oxalacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase, creatine kinase (CK) and the coagulation factors fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1).
Laboratory analyses
Thyroid-stimulating hormone, prolactin, LH, FSH, estradiol and progesterone were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) on an Elecsys 2010 immunoassay analyser using commercial kits (Roche Diagnostics, Laval, Québec, Canada). Total testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) were measured by solid-phase 125I radioimmunoassay in unextracted serum using specific antibody immobilized to the wall of a polypropylene tube (Diagnostic Products Corporation, Inter Medico, Markham, Ontario, Canada). 17
-Hydroxyprogesterone was estimated by double antibody 125I radioimmunoassay (Medicorp Inc., Orangeburg, New York). Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations were measured by an immunoradiometric method using monoclonal antibodies (Diagnostic Products Corporation, Inter Medico, Markham, Ontario, Canada). All these assays were performed as previously reported (Lemay et al., 1995). The free androgen index (FAI) was calculated using the following equation: FAI = [testosterone (nmol/l)x100]/SHBG (nmol/l).
Insulin was determined by an homologous radioimmunoassay kit using an antibody having low cross-reactivity with pro-insulin (<0.2%) (Linco Research, Inc., St-Charles, Missouri, USA) as described previously (Lemay et al., 2002). In this assay 1 mIU/ml is equivalent to 6 pmol/l of insulin. The normal range of values for adults is 5–15 mIU/ml or 30–90 pmol/l. Insulin sensitivity was determined by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) = (fasting insulin in mIUI/lxfasting glucose in mmol/l)/22.5 and by the quantitative sensitivity check index (QUICKI) = 1/(log fasting insulin in mIU/ml + log fasting glucose in mg/dl) as used and validated in PCOS (Carmina and Lobo, 2004). For OGTT, blood samples were collected at 0 min after a 10–12 h fast and at 30, 60, 90 120 and 180 min after ingestion within 5 min of a 300 ml water solution containing 75 g of glucose. Glucose and insulin were assayed in all samples. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated by the trapezoidal method.
Total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) concentrations were measured by enzymatic colorimetric reactions on a chemistry analyser Hitachi 917 using reagents from Roche Diagnostics, Laval, Québec, Canada. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated according to the equation of Friedewald et al. (1972). Serum apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA) and Apo B-100 (ApoB) were measured with commercial reagents (Dade-Behring, Mississauga, Canada) on BN-100 Nephelometer (Dade-Behring, Marburg, Germany) (Lemay et al., 2001).
Fibrinogen was measured fresh after centrifugation. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) was assayed with the spectrolyse tPA/PAI activity kit of Organon Teknika Inc. (Scarborough, Ontario, Canada).
Statistical analysis
All statistical analysis was done with SAS statistical software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Student’s t-test was used for comparisons between the two study groups at randomization, at the end of the single treatment phase (month 6) and at the end of combined treatments (month 12). Paired t-test was used for within-group comparisons of differences between the beginning and end of each intervention phase (month 0 to month 6, month 6 to month 12) and between baseline and end of the study (month 0 to month 12) using the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Mean ± SD was used in the tables for baseline characteristics while mean ± SEM was used in tables for assessment of treatment effects.
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Results |
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Number of participants during the protocol
Sixteen women (36%) normalized their fasting insulin and were not eligible for treatment (Figure 2). A total of 28 subjects were then randomized, either to group A (n = 15) or B (n = 13). The reasons for dropping out during the intervention periods were loss of interest or non-compliance (n = 6), intolerance to the estrogen–progestin (n = 3) and the occurrence of another medical problem (n = 2). The anthropometric and biochemical characteristics of women dropping out were not different from those completing the study except for older age in three women dropping out from group B..
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Baseline characteristics
At randomization there were no differences in the mean age of both groups ranging from 18 to 40 years of age. However, at completion of the study, the subjects in group B (Table I) were younger than those of group A (P < 0.003), the women dropping out being older in group B than in group A. Otherwise, clinical and biochemical characteristics of the PCOS women were similar in both groups.
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At baseline, after the initial 4 months of diet and before starting either of the two treatment drugs, both groups had achieved a reduction in the intake of calories (–12.4 ± 8.3%, P = 0.069 in group A; –17.0 ± 8.4%, P = 0.047 in group B). This caloric restriction was related to a decrease in carbohydrate intake (–19 ± 10%, P = 0.037 in group A; – 22 ± 9%, P = 0.059 in group B). The proportions of lipids, carbohydrates, proteins and the content in dietary cholesterol indicated adequate dietary habits for a person having appropriate intake of calories (Table I). Improvement in dietary habit was maintained as assessed by repeated evaluation at each visit (data not shown). The baseline score for physical activity was moderate for both groups corresponding to one or two periods per week (Table I). There were no changes in physical activity score throughout the study (data not shown).
Glucose and insulin metabolism
Both PCOS groups had normal levels of glucose throughout the study. However, insulin levels were high at baseline (month 0, Table II). After 6 months of single treatment, rosiglitazone (group A) decreased insulin, HOMA and QUICKI. The initial intake of EE/CPA for 6 months (group B) did not modify insulin. The addition of the thiazolidinedione to the OC and of EE/CPA to rosiglitazone (month 12) produced similar changes in insulin as observed during either single drug administration.
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As also shown in Table II, the AUC for glucose was normal in both PCOS groups. It did not change during treatment. On the other hand, the AUC for insulin at month 0 is high in both groups. In group A, rosiglitazone treatment (month 6) significantly reduced insulin. The increase in AUC for insulin following the addition of EE/CPA during months 6 to 12 is not significant (P = 0.23). In group B, the decrease of AUC for insulin did not reach statistical significance following the sequential addition of EE/CPA (month 6: P = 0.54) and of rosiglitazone (month 12: P = 0.12).
Serum lipid profile
At baseline (month 0, Table III) TG was >1.0 nmol/l and HDL-C was <1.3 mmol/l in both PCOS groups. After 6 months of single treatment, rosiglitazone (group A) did not induce changes in lipids. The initial intake of EE/CPA for 6 months (group B) increased HDL-C and Apo A. The addition of the thiazolidinedione to the OC and of EE/CPA to rosiglitazone (month 12) produced similar changes in lipids as obtained during either single drug administration.
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Serum androgen levels
At baseline (month 0, Table IV), both PCOS groups had elevated levels of testosterone and androstenedione with a high FAI related to low levels of SHBG. Rosiglitazone caused a decrease of androstenedione and FAI and a limited increase of SHBG. These improvements were similar whether rosiglitazone was administered before EE/CPA (group A, months 0 to 6) or after EE/CPA (group B, months 6 to 12). On the other hand, EE/CPA induced a marked increase in SHBG and suppressed FAI. These changes were also similar whether EE/CPA was administered before rosiglitazone (group B, months 0 to 6) or following rosiglitazone (group A, months 6 to 12). The estrogen–progestin also reduced total testosterone, androstenedione and DHEA-S but to variable extents in the two treated groups.
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Clinical efficacy parameters
Throughout the medication periods there were no changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip girths, blood pressure, cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking habits or the use of current or occasional medications (data not shown). A significant decrease in the hirsutism score was obtained only following the administration of EE/CPA (Figure 3). However, there was no difference between the two groups in the reduction of the score at the end of the study (month 12)..
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During the initial 4 months of diet before drug intervention, there were only nine spontaneous menses in the 17 subjects who completed the study. More frequent spontaneous uterine bleedings (n = 29 episodes) occurred during months 0 to 6 of rosiglitazone taken alone in all 10 subjects of group A. Regular uterine bleeding occurred during the pause whenever EE/CPA was used in the two groups.
Safety profile
There was no apparent association of the occasional occurrence of a list of usual side-effects or peculiar symptoms and the different phases of the study. Mild to moderate symptoms of fatigue and sugar craving disappeared in most instances during the preparatory diet phase. There were no changes from baseline in the serum levels of hepatic transaminases and creatine kinase. Rosiglitazone had no effect on fibrinogen and PAI-1 whereas a 50% decrease in this pro-coagulation factor by EE/CPA did not reach statistical significance (data not shown).
End results for combined treatment groups
Since the changes brought by each of the two drugs were similar in each group whatever their sequential order of administration, results of groups A and B were combined for overall efficacy analysis. As shown in Table V, paired comparisons between values at randomization and values at the end of the study indicate highly significant improvements in all metabolic and androgen parameters except for no changes in TC, LDL-C, Apo B, AUC for glucose and a significant increase in TG. Furthermore no significant changes were noticed in anthropometric and clinical or safety parameters.
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Discussion |
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The main objective of this study was to assess the effects of a thiazolidinedione type of insulin sensitizer with or without an anti-androgen estrogen–progestin as a new approach to treat the multiple endocrine–metabolic problems of overweight PCOS women with elevated insulin. The results indicate that in the 64% of subjects not responding to a diet low in refined sugars, rosiglitazone alone was effective in improving insulin, HOMA, QUICKI and insulin response to OGTT. On the other hand, EE/CPA was effective to decrease androgens, to suppress FAI, to improve the hirsutism score and to increase HDL-C. The changes induced by each drug were similar whether one drug was administered before or after the other in their sequential combinations. Although there were no changes in anthropometric measures, highly significant improvements on metabolic (except for increased TG) and androgen parameters were observed at the end of treatment when results of groups A and B were combined. Noticeably, the complementary beneficial effects of both medications were also without notable side-effects or changes in safety parameters.
The results obtained with rosiglitazone as a single agent compare with those previously reported with thiazolidinediones in obese PCOS women. Troglitazone, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone have been shown to be effective in improving IR in all reported studies but none has been demonstrated effective in reducing BMI as also observed in our study (Dunaif et al., 1996; Ehrmann et al., 1997; Hasegawa et al., 1999; Azziz et al., 2001; Ghazeeri et al., 2003; Romualdi et al., 2003; Shobokshi and Shaarawy, 2003; Belli et al., 2004; Brettenthaler et al., 2004; Guido et al., 2004b; Sepilian and Nagamani, 2005). Among these studies, a significant decrease of total testosterone was obtained in four reports (Dunaif et al., 1996; Ehrmann et al., 1997; Hasegawa et al., 1999; Sepilian and Nagamani, 2005). A significant reduction in FAI was also observed in three other studies due to a significant increase in SHBG (Azziz et al., 2001; Shobokshi and Shaarawy, 2003; Brettenthaler et al., 2004). There is no obvious reason explaining the non-significant changes in testosterone, FAI and SHBG in our study as also observed in others (Ghazeeri et al., 2003; Romualdi et al., 2003; Belli et al., 2004; Guido et al., 2004a). Our results with rosiglitazone are also in agreement with previous data reporting no significant changes in lipid fractions, notably in TG and HDL-C (Ehrmann et al., 1997; Hasegawa et al., 1999; Romualdi et al., 2003; Brettenthaler et al., 2004). Overall, data in obese PCOS women indicate that the usual dosage of each thiazolidinedione used alone is effective in decreasing insulin but has various efficacies on testosterone and does not improve the lipid profile nor reduce weight and BMI.
Our results with EE/CPA as a single medication are similar to those of other studies in obese PCOS subjects with IR reporting effective reduction in testosterone, androstenedione, DHEA-S and FAI (Morin-Papunen et al., 2000; Harborne et al., 2003; Sabuncu et al., 2003). The important increase in SHBG which has high-affinity binding for testosterone probably explains the modest decrease in total testosterone. This may suggest an incomplete suppression of ovarian testosterone production although the free testosterone might be decreased due to extensive binding by the high amount of SHBG. EE/CPA did not cause significant changes in IR but increased low HDL-C and already elevated TG as also observed in our study (Morin-Papunen et al., 2000; Harborne et al., 2003; Sabuncu et al., 2003). The increased TG levels at the completed treatment is explained by the well-known effect of estrogen–progestin formulations on TG.
Our results demonstrate that the sequential combinations of rosiglitazone and EE/CPA and EE/CPA and rosiglitazone achieved effects that were similar to those obtained when used as a single initial agent. Statistical analysis did not reveal any trend in the fluctuations of insulin or its response to OGTT after combinations of both drugs. These results would indicate no apparent interactions between the two medications. The end results of both groups combined showed highly significant changes in metabolic and androgen parameters at the end of the treatment period. The significance of these end results would then be due not only to the increased number of subjects evaluated but also to 12 months exposure to at least one of the two medications in each group.
Besides this paper, only a few studies have evaluated EE/CPA in association with another intervention aiming at reducing insulin in PCOS with IR. No significant differences were found in metabolic and androgen parameters in lean PCOS subjects treated for 4 months with EE/CPA and metformin as compared to EE/CPA alone (Elter et al., 2002). A recent study on obese PCOS indicates that EE/CPA causes additional reductions of HOMA and testosterone when added for 2 months at the beginning of metformin treatment (Mitkov et al., 2004). However, EE/CPA has been reported to interfere with the reduction in IR by the anti-obesity agent sibutramine which was also effective in reducing weight and improving lipids (Sabuncu et al., 2003). These previous data indicate variable efficacy of agents aiming at reducing IR in the presence of EE/CPA.
Indeed, the absence of effect of EE/CPA on IR and of interference with rosiglitazone in our study would be unexpected considering that various OC decrease insulin sensitivity in normal subjects (Godsland et al., 1990; Petersen et al., 1999). Recent studies further indicate that low dose OC reduce insulin sensitivity in non-obese PCOS women (BMI <25 kg/m2) with normal insulin (Cibula et al., 2005). Moreover, it has been shown that low dose OC also further increase elevated insulin levels in non-obese adult PCOS women (Cagnacci et al., 2003) and in lean PCOS girls (Ibanez and de Zegher, 2003, 2004, 2004). Our data in obese PCOS women indicate that, unlike the findings in lean PCOS girls, a low dose OC containing EE/CPA does not increase insulin. This observation is in agreement with the results of several other studies having evaluated insulin during EE/CPA administration to PCOS patients (Morin-Papunen et al., 2000; Elter et al., 2002; Harborne et al., 2003; Sabuncu et al., 2003). The lack of increase in IR by the EE/CPA formulation used in this study could be related to the direct anti-androgenic action of CPA. However, the data on improvement of insulin sensitivity by anti-androgens in PCOS are heterogeneous, being related to weight and levels of androgens (Diamanti-Kandarakis et al., 1995; Moghetti et al., 1996; Ibanez et al., 2003; Vrbikova et al., 2004).
Finally, our results show that rosiglitazone is effective in reducing insulin to a similar extent in the presence or in the absenceof EE/CPA. This is in contrast to other studies reporting few or no effects of metformin in the presence of other low dose OC (Ibanez and de Zegher, 2004; Cibula et al., 2005). The differences in response to the insulin sensitizer could be related to the property of CPA that inhibits testosterone receptor and action. This is supported by results of treatment of metformin combined with the anti-androgen receptor flutamide showing normalization of insulin, lipids and androgens in lean PCOS girls (Ibanez and de Zegher, 2003). Alternatively rosiglitazone could be more effective than metformin since metformin was reported as ineffective in reducing insulin in lean PCOS patients also taking EE/CPA (Elter et al., 2002). Rosiglitazone could also reduce visceral fat which plays a significant role in IR (Carey et al., 2002). However, there is as yet no study combining a thiazolidinedione with another OC. Since the results of this study indicate complementary benefits, further studies are required in obese PCOS women to better understand the endocrine and metabolic changes by treatment with other OC with or without an anti-androgen, an insulin sensitizer or a combination of interventions including modifications of diet and physical activity.
In summary, we demonstrate the benefits of combining a thiazolidinedione type of insulin sensitizer with an oral estrogen–progestin formulation having a direct anti-androgenic action. In obese PCOS women with high insulin which is not corrected initially by a diet low in refined sugars for 4 months, a 4 mg daily dose of rosiglitazone improves IR while 35 mg of EE and 2 mg of CPA has mixed effects on lipids (favourable increase of HDL-C versus unfavourable elevation of TG) and overall beneficial effects on androgens, hirsutism and uterine bleeding. This combination of medications appears without noticeable changes in side-effects and safety parameters. The simultaneous reduction of excess ovarian androgen production, blockage of androgen action and sensitization to insulin constitutes a new approach for the treatment of the multiple endocrine and metabolic anomalies of overweight PCOS subjects in which high insulin is not corrected by an appropriate diet. Combinations of other OC, anti-androgens and insulin sensitizers could also be of benefit. This new approach needs to be further investigated for an optimal treatment of an overweight PCOS patient presenting with high insulin and requesting an OC.
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Acknowledgements |
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The authors are indebted to Monique Longpré and Annie Levesque-Langelier for their professional nursing assistance and research experience and to Sylvie Dostie for typing the manuscript. Supported by a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to A.Lemay, S.Dodin and J.C.Forest. Drugs were graciously supplied by Berlex Canada Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline Montreal, Québec, Canada.
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References |
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Submitted on May 16, 2005; resubmitted on August 20, 2005; accepted on August 23, 2005.
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