The Effect of Atorvastatin in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled Study.

Sathyapalan T, Kilpatrick ES, Coady AM, Atkin SL
Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, University of Hull, Hull, UK; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK; Department of Obstetric Ultrasound, Hull & East Yorkshire Women’s & Children’s Hospital, Hull, UK.
Source J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008 Oct 21.

Abstract Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity whereas statins are proven to reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity through lipid lowering and perhaps through their pleotrophic effects. Statins can also reduce testosterone in vitro by inhibiting ovarian theca-interstitial cell proliferation, steroidogenesis and reducing inflammation in vivo.

Objective: To assess the effect of atorvastatin on inflammatory markers, insulin resistance and biochemical hyperandrogenemia in patients with PCOS.
Design: Randomised, double blind placebo controlled study.
Setting: Tertiary care setting in United Kingdom.
Patients: Forty medication naïve patients with PCOS and biochemical hyperandrogenaemia.
Methods: Patients were randomised to either atorvastatin 20mg daily or placebo.
Main outcome measures: The primary end point of the study was a change in the inflammatory marker hsCRP. The secondary end points were a change in insulin resistance and total testosterone.
Results: After 12 weeks of atorvastatin there was a significant reduction (mean+/-SEM) in total cholesterol (4.6+/-0.2 vs. 3.4+/-0.2 mmol/L,p<0.01), LDL cholesterol (2.9+/-0.2vs.1.8+/-0.2 mmol/L,p<0.01), triglycerides (1.34+/-0.08vs.1.08+/-0.13mmol/L,p<0.01), hsCRP (4.9+/-1.4vs.3.4+/-1.1mg/Lp=0.04), free androgen index (13.4+/-0.6vs.8.7+/-0.4 p<0.01), testosterone[4.1+/-0.2vs.2.9+/-0.1 nmol/Lp<0.01) and insulin resistance as measured by HOMA-IR(3.3+/-0.4vs.2.7+/-0.4). There was a significant increase in SHBG (31.1+/-1.0vs.35.3+/-1.2 nmol/L,p<0.01). There was a positive correlation between the reduction in HOMA-IR in the atorvastatin group with the reduction in triglycerides and the reduction of FAI. There was a significant deterioration of HOMA-IR in the placebo group (3.0+/-0.4vs.3.8+/-0.5).
Conclusions: This study suggests that atorvastatin is effective in reducing inflammation, biochemical hyperandrogenemia and metabolic parameters in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome after a 12 week period.

PubMed ID 18940877


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