These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Free fatty acids increase androgen precursors in vivo.
    Author: Mai K, Bobbert T, Kullmann V, Andres J, Rochlitz H, Osterhoff M, Weickert MO, Bähr V, Möhlig M, Pfeiffer AF, Diederich S, Spranger J.
    Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab; 2006 Apr; 91(4):1501-7. PubMed ID: 16434463.
    Abstract:
    CONTEXT: There is considerable evidence that metabolic factors such as insulin resistance may induce hyperandrogenemia in polycystic ovary syndrome. However, other metabolic factors such as free fatty acids (FFAs) may also contribute to androgen excess. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to study effects of FFAs on adrenal production of androgen precursors in vivo. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: We investigated eight healthy young men, because male individuals produce the androgen precursors dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulfate, and androstenedione predominantly in the adrenal gland. A randomized controlled crossover trial was performed. INTERVENTION: After a 10-h overnight fast, 20% lipid/heparin or saline/heparin infusion was given at a rate of 1.5 ml/min. Four hours after start of lipid infusion, a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: DHEA, androstenedione, 17-OH-progesterone, testosterone, estrone, LH, FSH, ACTH, and cortisol were measured. RESULTS: The adrenal androgen precursors DHEA and androstenedione showed a circadian decline during saline/heparin infusion (P < 0.05 vs. baseline, respectively), whereas no significant changes were observed during lipid/heparin infusion (P = not significant vs. baseline, respectively). Correspondingly, DHEA and androstenedione values were significantly elevated during lipid compared with saline infusion (P < 0.05, respectively), and areas under curve of both androgen precursors were significantly increased with lipid compared with saline infusion. Notably, all changes were detected before induction of insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that FFAs increase production of androgen precursors in vivo in men. These data tentatively suggest that hyperandrogenemia in polycystic ovary syndrome may be induced, at least in part, by elevated FFAs.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]