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Metabolic and Endocrine Effects of Statins in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

Summary

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrinopathy affecting women of reproductive age, is characterized by oligo-ovulation and androgen excess. The hyperandrogenemia is secondary to ovarian theca-interstitial hyperplasia and excessive androgen production induced by various factors, including elevated gonadotropins, hyperinsulinemia, and increased oxidative stress. In addition to hyperinsulinemia and systemic inflammation, PCOS is often associated with other cardiovascular risk factors including dyslipidemia and endothelial dysfunction. Statins block HMG CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, and thereby reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Blockade of this enzyme and the downstream mevalonate pathway may also lead to decreased maturation of insulin receptors, inhibition of steroidogenesis, and alteration of signal transduction pathways that mediate cellular proliferation. Furthermore, statins have intrinsic antioxidant properties. Given the pleiotropic actions of statins, they are likely to exert beneficial metabolic and endocrine effects in addition to improving the lipid profile in women with PCOS.

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Authors
  1. Pinar H. Kodaman MD PHD
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  2. Antoni J. Duleba MD
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

    Andrea Dunaif MD

  2. Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA

    R. Jeffrey Chang MD

  3. Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, UK

    Stephen Franks MD, FMEDSCI

  4. Department of Ob/Gyn, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA

    Richard S. Legro MD

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© 2008 Humana Press

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Kodaman, P.H., Duleba, A.J. (2008). Metabolic and Endocrine Effects of Statins in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. In: Dunaif, A., Chang, R.J., Franks, S., Legro, R.S. (eds) Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-108-6_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-108-6_15

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-831-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-108-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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