Abstract
Introduction Known characteristics of patients with PCOS include infertility, menstrual disorders,
hirsutism and also often insulin resistance. These symptoms increase with increasing
body weight. In the LIPCOS study (L ifestyle I ntervention for Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [PCOS ]) long-term changes of the PCOS in dependence on pregnancy and parenthood were systematically
assessed. In the framework of the LIPCOS study, PCOS patients were given a standardised
carbohydrate-rich test meal in order to examine glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion.
The results were compared with those of a eumenorrhoeic control group who all had
corresponding BMI values and corresponding ages.
Methods and Patients 41 PCOS patients (without diabetes) and 68 controls received a standardised carbohydrate-rich
test meal (260 kcal, 62 % carbohydrates, 32 % fat, 6 % proteins) in order to generate
a submaximal insulin and glucose stimulation. The values were determined at baseline
and postprandial after 60, 120 and 180 minutes. In addition, the corresponding C-peptide
levels were recorded.
Results In the PCOS patients (n = 41), the insulin secretion test after a standardised test
meal showed almost identical baseline and postprandial insulin levels when compared
with those of the age- and BMI-matched eumenorrhoeic controls (n = 68). In the PCOS
patients, the baseline and postprandial glucose levels were significantly elevated
(92.88 ± 10.28 [PCOS] vs. 85.07 ± 9.42 mg/dL [controls]; p < 0.001) so was C-peptide
(p < 0.025).
Conclusions In the present study we have shown for the first time that, after consumption of
a standardised test meal, PCOS patients formally exhibit a higher fasting insulin
resistance than controls. In spite of the higher stimulated C-peptide levels, the
insulin levels did not increase more strongly with increasing glucose levels than
in controls which may be indicative of a higher insulin clearance in PCOS patients.
Key words polycystic ovarian syndrome - impaired glucose tolerance - C-peptide - insulin