Total ghrelin levels during acute insulin infusion in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

What Was Tested

This controlled clinical trial paper looks at Ghrelin.

The aim of their study was to clarify ghrelin levels in non-obese, overweight, and obese PCOS patients; to investigate the effect of acute insulin infusion on ghrelin in PCOS as a chronic insulin-resistant state, with and without the impact of obesity, and to examine ghrelin-androgen interaction.

Why It Was Studied

In that order, the researchers evaluated 1) ghrelin levels among 8 nonobese patients with PCOS [body mass index (BMI): 20.52+/-1.31 kg/m2], 8 overweight and obese patients with PCOS (BMI: 34.36+/-6.53 kg/m2) and their respective controls, 2) ghrelin suppression during euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, and 3) ghrelin-androgen interrelationship.

After overnight fast, 2-h euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, was performed in all investigated women.

Who Took Part

According to the abstract, 8 patients were involved.

The age groups tagged for this paper are adults, women only.

What Was Measured

In that order, the researchers evaluated 1) ghrelin levels among 8 nonobese patients with PCOS [body mass index (BMI): 20.52+/-1.31 kg/m2], 8 overweight and obese patients with PCOS (BMI: 34.36+/-6.53 kg/m2) and their respective controls, 2) ghrelin suppression during euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, and 3) ghrelin-androgen interrelationship.

The subject headings attached to it are Acute Disease, Body Mass Index, Fasting, Ghrelin, Glucose Clamp Technique, Hyperinsulinism and Hypoglycemic Agents.

What This Means in Plain Language

This is a controlled clinical trial of Ghrelin in 8 patients.

With fewer than 40 people, it is a small study, so it is better read as an early signal for further research than as a settled answer.

The publication is from 2007 (Journal of endocrinological investigation), a journal based in Italy.

More context: the Ghrelin compound page, all human trials.