Plasma β-endorphin levels in obese and non-obese patients with polycystic ovary disease

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of body weight on circulating plasma levels of β-endorphin and insulin in women with polycystic ovary disease (PCOD) ,as well as the correlation between the plasma levels of β-endorphin and insulin. One-hundred and sixty-seven consecutive subjects with PCOD were recruited ,117 of whom had normal weight (body mass index (BMI) < 25) while 50 were obese (BMI > 25). A venous blood sample was taken and plasma concentrations of β-endorphin ,insulin ,gonadotropins ,prolactin ,progesterone ,17β-estradiol ,estrone ,androgens ,dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured. Mean β-endorphin and insulin plasma levels were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in obese PCOD women than in non-obese ones. Correlation analysis showed a positive association between insulin and β-endorphin ,β-endorphin and BMI (and weight) ,insulin and BMI (and weight) ,and a negative correlation was found between insulin and SHBG. A weak association was found between-endorphin and luteinizing hormone (LH) in peripheral plasma. Stratified and linear regression analysis showed that plasma-endorphin concentrations correlate more with BMI than with insulinemia.

• BETA-ENDORPHIN
• OBESITY
• OPIOID PEPTIDES
• INSULIN
• POLYCYSTIC OVARY DISEASE