Relationship between homocysteine and insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular diseases. It is known that plasma homocysteine levels are higher in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients than in healthy subjects. The aim of our study was to determine the relationship between plasma homocysteine level and insulin resistance in women with PCOS. Twenty-nine patients (age, 23.90 ± 5.86 years) and twenty-five healthy subjects (age, 25.24 ± 4.28 years) were involved in the study. Plasma levels of fasting insulin, glucose, homocysteine, FSH, and LH levels were measured. A statistically significant difference in plasma concentrations of HOMA index, homocysteine, basal insulin levels and LH/FSH ratios was observed between groups (P = 0.001, P = 0.001, P = 0.001, and P = 0.01, respectively). There was no relationship between Hcy and the other variables. In multiple logistic regression analysis, age, BMI and insulin resistance were not predictors of Hcy.