Abstract
OBJECTIVE - To evaluate whether the administration of metformin exerts any effects on serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and whether supplementation with folate enhances the positive effects of metformin on the structure and function of the vascular endothelium. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - A total of 50 patients affected by PCOS, without additional metabolic or cardiovascular diseases, were enrolled in a prospective nonrandomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical study. They were grouped into two treatment arms that were matched for age and BMI. Patients were treated with a 6-month course of metformin (1,700 mg daily) plus folic acid (400 μg daily; experimental group, n = 25) or placebo (control group, n = 25). Complete hormonal and metabolic patterns, serum Hcy, folate, vitamin B12, endothelin-1 levels, brachial artery diameter at the baseline (BAD-B) and after reactive hyperemia (BAD-RH), flow-mediated dilation, and intima-media thickness in both common carotid arteries were evaluated. RESULTS - After treatment, a significant increase in serum Hcy levels was observed in the control group compared with the baseline values and the experimental group. A beneficial effect was observed in the concentrations of BAD-B, BAD-RH, flow-mediated dilation, intima-media thickness, and serum endothelin-1 in both groups. However, the results were improved more significantly in the experimental group than in the control subjects. CONCLUSIONS - Metformin exerts a slight but significant deleterious effect on serum Hcy levels in patients with PCOS, and supplementation with folate is useful to increase the beneficial effect of metformin on the vascular endothelium.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 246-251 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Diabetes Care |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2010 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Internal Medicine
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
- Advanced and Specialised Nursing
Cite this
Effects of metformin with or without supplementation with folate on homocysteine levels and vascular endothelium of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. / Palomba, Stefano; Falbo, Angela; Giallauria, Francesco; Russo, Tiziana; Tolino, Achille; Zullo, Fulvio; Colao, Annamaria; Orio, Francesco.
In: Diabetes Care, Vol. 33, No. 2, 02.2010, p. 246-251.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of metformin with or without supplementation with folate on homocysteine levels and vascular endothelium of women with polycystic ovary syndrome
AU - Palomba, Stefano
AU - Falbo, Angela
AU - Giallauria, Francesco
AU - Russo, Tiziana
AU - Tolino, Achille
AU - Zullo, Fulvio
AU - Colao, Annamaria
AU - Orio, Francesco
PY - 2010/2
Y1 - 2010/2
N2 - OBJECTIVE - To evaluate whether the administration of metformin exerts any effects on serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and whether supplementation with folate enhances the positive effects of metformin on the structure and function of the vascular endothelium. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - A total of 50 patients affected by PCOS, without additional metabolic or cardiovascular diseases, were enrolled in a prospective nonrandomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical study. They were grouped into two treatment arms that were matched for age and BMI. Patients were treated with a 6-month course of metformin (1,700 mg daily) plus folic acid (400 μg daily; experimental group, n = 25) or placebo (control group, n = 25). Complete hormonal and metabolic patterns, serum Hcy, folate, vitamin B12, endothelin-1 levels, brachial artery diameter at the baseline (BAD-B) and after reactive hyperemia (BAD-RH), flow-mediated dilation, and intima-media thickness in both common carotid arteries were evaluated. RESULTS - After treatment, a significant increase in serum Hcy levels was observed in the control group compared with the baseline values and the experimental group. A beneficial effect was observed in the concentrations of BAD-B, BAD-RH, flow-mediated dilation, intima-media thickness, and serum endothelin-1 in both groups. However, the results were improved more significantly in the experimental group than in the control subjects. CONCLUSIONS - Metformin exerts a slight but significant deleterious effect on serum Hcy levels in patients with PCOS, and supplementation with folate is useful to increase the beneficial effect of metformin on the vascular endothelium.
AB - OBJECTIVE - To evaluate whether the administration of metformin exerts any effects on serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and whether supplementation with folate enhances the positive effects of metformin on the structure and function of the vascular endothelium. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - A total of 50 patients affected by PCOS, without additional metabolic or cardiovascular diseases, were enrolled in a prospective nonrandomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical study. They were grouped into two treatment arms that were matched for age and BMI. Patients were treated with a 6-month course of metformin (1,700 mg daily) plus folic acid (400 μg daily; experimental group, n = 25) or placebo (control group, n = 25). Complete hormonal and metabolic patterns, serum Hcy, folate, vitamin B12, endothelin-1 levels, brachial artery diameter at the baseline (BAD-B) and after reactive hyperemia (BAD-RH), flow-mediated dilation, and intima-media thickness in both common carotid arteries were evaluated. RESULTS - After treatment, a significant increase in serum Hcy levels was observed in the control group compared with the baseline values and the experimental group. A beneficial effect was observed in the concentrations of BAD-B, BAD-RH, flow-mediated dilation, intima-media thickness, and serum endothelin-1 in both groups. However, the results were improved more significantly in the experimental group than in the control subjects. CONCLUSIONS - Metformin exerts a slight but significant deleterious effect on serum Hcy levels in patients with PCOS, and supplementation with folate is useful to increase the beneficial effect of metformin on the vascular endothelium.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=75149149178&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=75149149178&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2337/dc09-1516
DO - 10.2337/dc09-1516
M3 - Article
C2 - 19933994
AN - SCOPUS:75149149178
VL - 33
SP - 246
EP - 251
JO - Diabetes Care
JF - Diabetes Care
SN - 1935-5548
IS - 2
ER -