Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 22, Issue 36, 2016

While the Rotterdam criteria look simple and easy to follow, in clinical practice diagnosis of PCOS may be problematic because of the use of inaccurate commercial androgen assays. Progresses in ovarian ultrasound and in AMH measurement have modified the way to make the diagnosis of PCOS and an update of Rotterdam criteria may be necessary. In classic severe form of PCOS, ovarian follicle count is a very reliable d Read More

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly prevalent endocrine metabolic disorder and is presently considered a family pathology. It is associated with obesity, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Racial, ethnic and environmental factors may be important in determining the clinical manifestations of this syndrome. Polycystic ovary syndrome is an exclusion diagnosis and, therefore, should be distinguished from the p Read More

Background: Insulin resistance and the associated compensatory hyperinsulinemia are common findings in women with PCOS, and may play a key role in this condition. Methods: In this article, we focused on the significance of insulin resistance in PCOS, reviewing the available literature on epidemiology, pathogenesis, pathophysiology and treatment of this condition. Results: It has been estimated that approximately 70% of Read More

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex heterogeneous disorder and the most common endocrinopathy amongst women of reproductive age. It is characterized by androgen excess, chronic anovulation and an altered cardiometabolic profile. PCOS is linked to impaired adipose tissue (AT) physiology and women with this disorder present with greater risk for insulin resistance (IR), hyperinsulinemia, centra Read More

Background: The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the commonest endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age and shows substantial phenotypic variability. According to the presence of the three diagnostic criteria of PCOS, i.e. oligo- and/or anovulation, hyperandrogenemia and/or clinical signs of high androgen levels, and polycystic ovaries, four different phenotypes of PCOS are identified. It appears that these phe Read More

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex syndrome characterized by reproductive and metabolic implications. Lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, are considered first-line treatment for women affected by PCOS. Pharmacologic treatments target the hormonal and metabolic dysregulations associated to the disease such as insulin resistance, anovulation, hirsutism and menstrual irregu Read More

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are formed both during the endogenous and exogenous reactions and are implicated in the process of ageing, pathogenesis of diabetes, atherosclerosis, female fertility, and cancers. Food and smoking are the most important sources of exogenous AGEs in daily life. The biochemical composition of meal, cooking methods, time and temperature of food preparation may impact AGEs f Read More

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common and complex endocrine disorder, often accompanied and complicated by insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and obesity. Gut, brain and metabolism are highly related with each other in obesity and diabetes as well as in PCOS. Central nervous system regulates food intake through complex interactions of homeostatic and hedonic systems while gastrointestinal system c Read More

Background: The prevalence of adrenal hyperandrogenism (AH), as defined by increased circulating dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) levels, ranges from 15 to 45% in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: The aim of this review is to update the pathogenesis and consequences of AH in PCOS, from molecular genetics to the clinical setting. Results: Mounting evidence derived from animal models su Read More

Background: Hirsutism is defined as the presence of terminal hair with male distribution in women, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common etiology of hirsutism. Methods: The aim of this study is to review aspects of hair growth that are relevant for the understanding of hirsutism in PCOS, along with current treatment alternatives. Results: The prevalence of hirsutism in PCOS ranges from 70 to 80%, vs. 4 Read More

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine/ metabolic disorder characterized by hyperandrogenemia and in most cases, by hyperinsulinemia in addition to obesity. Besides ovarian dysfunction, endometrial physiology is also disrupted since this tissue is highly dependent on the action of steroids; in case of conception cycles, high percentage of abortion is observed. Because of the endocrine/m Read More

Genetics-based studies of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) implicate >20 PCOS risk genes that collectively account for <10% of PCOS. Clinicians now consider that either rare alleles or non-genetic, potentially epigenetic, developmental origins may contribute key pathogenic components to >90% of PCOS cases. Animal models convincingly demonstrate excess fetal testosterone exposure in females as a reliab Read More

Ovarian cystic follicles are the sign of important causes of reproductive failure in numerous species. In this review, some morphological, endocrinological and clinical aspects of cystic follicles in women, cows, mares, sows and bitches are discussed. Follicular cysts are the consequence of the failure of a mature follicle to ovulate at the appointed time of ovulation in the estrous cycle. Although the etiology of follicular cyst Read More