OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that statins improve hyperandrogenemia in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized trial. SETTING: Academic medical center. PATIENT(S): Forty-eight women with PCOS. INTERVENTION(S): Subjects were randomized to a statin group (simvastatin, 20 mg daily plus oral contraceptive pill [OCP]; n = 24) or an OCP group (OCP alone; n = 24). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Serum T. RESULT(S): Baseline parameters of both groups were comparable. After 12 weeks of treatment, serum T levels declined by 41% in the statin group and by 14% in the OCP group. In the statin group, there was a greater decrease of LH (43% decrease vs. 9% in the OCP group) and a greater decline of LH/FSH ratio (44% vs. 12%). In the statin group, total cholesterol declined by 10% and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by 24%. In the OCP group, total cholesterol increased by 8%, and LDL was unchanged. CONCLUSION(S): This is the first study demonstrating that statin decreases T levels and normalizes gonadotropin levels in women with PCOS. Statin therapy might offer a novel approach, providing endocrine and cardiovascular benefits.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that statins improve hyperandrogenemia in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized trial. SETTING: Academic medical center. PATIENT(S): Forty-eight women with PCOS. INTERVENTION(S): Subjects were randomized to a statin group (simvastatin, 20 mg daily plus oral contraceptive pill [OCP]; n = 24) or an OCP group (OCP alone; n = 24). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Serum T. RESULT(S): Baseline parameters of both groups were comparable. After 12 weeks of treatment, serum T levels declined by 41% in the statin group and by 14% in the OCP group. In the statin group, there was a greater decrease of LH (43% decrease vs. 9% in the OCP group) and a greater decline of LH/FSH ratio (44% vs. 12%). In the statin group, total cholesterol declined by 10% and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by 24%. In the OCP group, total cholesterol increased by 8%, and LDL was unchanged. CONCLUSION(S): This is the first study demonstrating that statin decreases T levels and normalizes gonadotropin levels in women with PCOS. Statin therapy might offer a novel approach, providing endocrine and cardiovascular benefits.
Authors: Selma F Witchel; Sergio E Recabarren; Frank González; Evanthia Diamanti-Kandarakis; Kai I Cheang; Antoni J Duleba; Richard S Legro; Roy Homburg; Renato Pasquali; Rogerio A Lobo; Christos C Zouboulis; Fahrettin Kelestimur; Franca Fruzzetti; Walter Futterweit; Robert J Norman; David H Abbott Journal: Endocrine Date: 2012-06-04 Impact factor: 3.633
Authors: Israel Ortega; Amanda B Cress; Donna H Wong; Jesus A Villanueva; Anna Sokalska; Ben C Moeller; Scott D Stanley; Antoni J Duleba Journal: Biol Reprod Date: 2012-01-30 Impact factor: 4.285
Authors: Sunni L Mumford; Enrique F Schisterman; Anna Maria Siega-Riz; Audrey J Gaskins; Anne Z Steiner; Julie L Daniels; Andrew F Olshan; Mary L Hediger; Kathleen Hovey; Jean Wactawski-Wende; Maurizio Trevisan; Michael S Bloom Journal: Hum Reprod Date: 2010-11-28 Impact factor: 6.918
Authors: Izabela J Rzepczynska; Piotr C Piotrowski; Donna H Wong; Amanda B Cress; Jesus Villanueva; Antoni J Duleba Journal: Biol Reprod Date: 2009-07-01 Impact factor: 4.285