Browsing by Author "Balint-perić, L. (6701858516)"

We studied the 24-h blood profiles of Cortisol in obese and non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), for comparison with the levels in healthy women (controls). The levels of other hormones, such as androgens, which are known to be disturbed in PCOS, were also compared. Luteinizing hormone (LH) and androgen (testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS)) concentrations were significantly (p < 0.005) raised in patients with PCOS, compared to those in control women. Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) concentration was significantly lower in women with PCOS, particularly in those who were overweight. There was a significant negative correlation between body mass index (BMI) and SHBG concentrations (r = -0.59;p = 0.006). Mean 24-h Cortisol concentrations were similar in women with PCOS and controls, as well as in the obese and non-obese PCOS patients. However, the 24-h blood Cortisol profile pattern was significantly different in women with PCOS as compared to the controls (p - 0.0039). Significantly lower Cortisol levels were observed during the night (levels were determined between 20.00 and 04.00 and are expressed as the area under the curve) in subjects with PCOS, compared to the control women (p = 0.02). These changes were most marked in the non-obese women with PCOS who had lower blood Cortisol levels during the night than either the controls or the obese PCOS subjects. Our finding of significantly lower Cortisol concentrations during the night could reflect a subtle abnormality of adrenal steroid secretion in women with PCOS. © 1993 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.

We studied the 24-h blood profiles of Cortisol in obese and non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), for comparison with the levels in healthy women (controls). The levels of other hormones, such as androgens, which are known to be disturbed in PCOS, were also compared. Luteinizing hormone (LH) and androgen (testosterone, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS)) concentrations were significantly (p < 0.005) raised in patients with PCOS, compared to those in control women. Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) concentration was significantly lower in women with PCOS, particularly in those who were overweight. There was a significant negative correlation between body mass index (BMI) and SHBG concentrations (r = -0.59;p = 0.006). Mean 24-h Cortisol concentrations were similar in women with PCOS and controls, as well as in the obese and non-obese PCOS patients. However, the 24-h blood Cortisol profile pattern was significantly different in women with PCOS as compared to the controls (p - 0.0039). Significantly lower Cortisol levels were observed during the night (levels were determined between 20.00 and 04.00 and are expressed as the area under the curve) in subjects with PCOS, compared to the control women (p = 0.02). These changes were most marked in the non-obese women with PCOS who had lower blood Cortisol levels during the night than either the controls or the obese PCOS subjects. Our finding of significantly lower Cortisol concentrations during the night could reflect a subtle abnormality of adrenal steroid secretion in women with PCOS. © 1993 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.

It has been suggested that some progestogens could have a stimulating effect on bone formation. This study was therefore undertaken in order to compare the influence of cyproterone acetate and norgestrel on bone metabolism when administered in a discontinuous, sequentially combined regimen with estradiol valerate. Twenty healthy early postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to treatment with either Cyclo-Progynova® containing 0.5 mg of norgestrel, or Climen® containing 1 mg of cyproterone acetate (CPA), over two 28-day cycles. Markers of bone resorption -fasting urinary hydroxypro-line / creatinine and calcium / creatinine ratios - and of bone formation - serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin - were determined initially, before the start of treatment and thereafter twice weekly (a total of 17 assessments for each woman) during the 8-week treatment period. Serum osteocalcin concentrations were slightly but not significantly higher throughout the study period in women receiving Climen, compared to those taking Cyclo-Progynova. Cyclical fluctuation of serum osteocalcin levels were more pronounced in women with a high baseline level of osteocalcin. During the period of progestogen administration, osteocalcin concentrations were either similar to or even lower than those in the phase of administration of estradiol valerate alone. Serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase concentrations were relatively stable during the study period with both treatment regimens. Urinary excretion of calcium and hydroxyproline varied during the cycle but the variation was unrelated to either type or time of progestogen administration. Mean urinary hydroxyproline excretion during the 8-week study period was similar for both preparations, although the mean decrease in the urinary hydroxyproline /creatinine ratio was insignificantly higher for the CPA-containing preparation. Women with a high baseline osteocalcin level, however, showed significantly lower hydroxyproline excretion when treated with Climen than with a norgestrel-containing preparation. The significantly lower hydroxyproline excretion suggests a favorable effect on bone turnover of the preparation containing CPA. This effect was particularly obvious in women with a high bone turnover and was most probably the result of a potentiating effect of CPA on the anti-resorptive effect of estradiol valerate. © 1994 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.

It has been suggested that some progestogens could have a stimulating effect on bone formation. This study was therefore undertaken in order to compare the influence of cyproterone acetate and norgestrel on bone metabolism when administered in a discontinuous, sequentially combined regimen with estradiol valerate. Twenty healthy early postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to treatment with either Cyclo-Progynova® containing 0.5 mg of norgestrel, or Climen® containing 1 mg of cyproterone acetate (CPA), over two 28-day cycles. Markers of bone resorption -fasting urinary hydroxypro-line / creatinine and calcium / creatinine ratios - and of bone formation - serum alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin - were determined initially, before the start of treatment and thereafter twice weekly (a total of 17 assessments for each woman) during the 8-week treatment period. Serum osteocalcin concentrations were slightly but not significantly higher throughout the study period in women receiving Climen, compared to those taking Cyclo-Progynova. Cyclical fluctuation of serum osteocalcin levels were more pronounced in women with a high baseline level of osteocalcin. During the period of progestogen administration, osteocalcin concentrations were either similar to or even lower than those in the phase of administration of estradiol valerate alone. Serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase concentrations were relatively stable during the study period with both treatment regimens. Urinary excretion of calcium and hydroxyproline varied during the cycle but the variation was unrelated to either type or time of progestogen administration. Mean urinary hydroxyproline excretion during the 8-week study period was similar for both preparations, although the mean decrease in the urinary hydroxyproline /creatinine ratio was insignificantly higher for the CPA-containing preparation. Women with a high baseline osteocalcin level, however, showed significantly lower hydroxyproline excretion when treated with Climen than with a norgestrel-containing preparation. The significantly lower hydroxyproline excretion suggests a favorable effect on bone turnover of the preparation containing CPA. This effect was particularly obvious in women with a high bone turnover and was most probably the result of a potentiating effect of CPA on the anti-resorptive effect of estradiol valerate. © 1994 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.

This study evaluates the effect of an oral contraceptive containing 35 ug of ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg of cyproterone acetate (Diane-35) on hormone dynamics, clinical signs of androgenization and ovarian size in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Forty-six patients with PCOS were treated with Diane-35 for between 9 and 30 cycles without interruption (a total of 688 cycles). Clinical and hormonal evaluations were performed before treatment and every 3rd cycle during the treatment period while ultrasonographic assessment of ovaries was carried out every 6th cycle. A highly significant decrease in the LH/FSH ratio (p < 0.001) as well as testosterone levels (p < 0.001) was noticed after the 3rd cycle of Diane-35 administration. The mean serum androstenedione level decreased significantly (p < 0.025) after the 3rd cycle, and showed a lowering trend thereafter. A significant reduction in serum DHEA-S levels was observed after the 6th cycle of treatment and they also showed a subsequent lowering trend. A highly significant increase in SHBG concentrations (p < 0.001) was noticed after the 3rd cycle. Most of the patients noticed improvement in hirsutism between the 8th and 12th cycles of treatment. Mean ovarian size decreased significantly (p < 0.001) after the 6th cycle, the normal size being reached after the 12th cycle of treatment. After the 4th cycle treatment was discontinued in 1 patient due to secondary amenorrhea, and in another 3 patients because of an increase in diastolic blood pressure. In a few patients side-effects such as weight gain, breast tenderness and mood changes in mild form were reported. Three out of 7 patients conceived in the 2nd or 3rd cycle after discontinuing Diane-35 therapy. The results of this study show that a combination of low-dose estrogen and cyproterone acetate (Diane-35) successfully reduces the hormonal disturbances which characterize PCOS. Apart from the normalization of the hormonal profile and the decrease in ovarian size, beneficial effects of Diane-35 were also observed on acne, hirsutism and regulation of the menstrual cycle. Favourable effects were also seen in terms of the pregnancy rate after dicontinuation of Diane-35 therapy. © 1989 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.

This study evaluates the effect of an oral contraceptive containing 35 ug of ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg of cyproterone acetate (Diane-35) on hormone dynamics, clinical signs of androgenization and ovarian size in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Forty-six patients with PCOS were treated with Diane-35 for between 9 and 30 cycles without interruption (a total of 688 cycles). Clinical and hormonal evaluations were performed before treatment and every 3rd cycle during the treatment period while ultrasonographic assessment of ovaries was carried out every 6th cycle. A highly significant decrease in the LH/FSH ratio (p < 0.001) as well as testosterone levels (p < 0.001) was noticed after the 3rd cycle of Diane-35 administration. The mean serum androstenedione level decreased significantly (p < 0.025) after the 3rd cycle, and showed a lowering trend thereafter. A significant reduction in serum DHEA-S levels was observed after the 6th cycle of treatment and they also showed a subsequent lowering trend. A highly significant increase in SHBG concentrations (p < 0.001) was noticed after the 3rd cycle. Most of the patients noticed improvement in hirsutism between the 8th and 12th cycles of treatment. Mean ovarian size decreased significantly (p < 0.001) after the 6th cycle, the normal size being reached after the 12th cycle of treatment. After the 4th cycle treatment was discontinued in 1 patient due to secondary amenorrhea, and in another 3 patients because of an increase in diastolic blood pressure. In a few patients side-effects such as weight gain, breast tenderness and mood changes in mild form were reported. Three out of 7 patients conceived in the 2nd or 3rd cycle after discontinuing Diane-35 therapy. The results of this study show that a combination of low-dose estrogen and cyproterone acetate (Diane-35) successfully reduces the hormonal disturbances which characterize PCOS. Apart from the normalization of the hormonal profile and the decrease in ovarian size, beneficial effects of Diane-35 were also observed on acne, hirsutism and regulation of the menstrual cycle. Favourable effects were also seen in terms of the pregnancy rate after dicontinuation of Diane-35 therapy. © 1989 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.