Insulin resistance influences central opioid activity in polycystic ovary syndrome

Fertil Steril. 2011 Jun 30;95(8):2494-8. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.03.031. Epub 2011 Apr 12.

Abstract

This pilot study describes a relationship between insulin resistance and μ-opioid neurotransmission in limbic appetite and mood-regulating regions in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), suggesting that insulin-opioid interactions may contribute to behavioral and reproductive pathologies of PCOS. We found that [1] patients with PCOS who are insulin-resistant (n = 7) had greater limbic μ-opioid receptor availability (nondisplaceable binding potential) than controls (n = 5); [2] receptor availability was correlated with severity of insulin resistance; and [3] receptor availability normalized after insulin-regulating treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Binding Sites
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Carbon Radioisotopes
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Fentanyl / analogs & derivatives
  • Fentanyl / metabolism
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Metformin / therapeutic use
  • Michigan
  • Pilot Projects
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / metabolism*
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / drug effects
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / metabolism*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult
  • beta-Endorphin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Carbon Radioisotopes
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • beta-Endorphin
  • Metformin
  • carfentanil
  • Fentanyl