Insulin Resistance, Nitric Oxide, and Fibrinogen Levels in White Hirsute Women: Defining a New Paradigm Based on Translational Research

The study investigated insulin resistance, nitric oxide (NO) production, and fibrinogen levels in white hirsute women, particularly those with idiopathic hirsutism (IH) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), both obese and nonobese. The study included 160 white females divided into four groups: 31 obese women with PCOS, 32 nonobese women with PCOS, 33 nonobese women with IH, and 35 nonobese controls. The researchers found that nonobese women with PCOS had significantly higher basal insulin levels and HOMA scores compared to nonobese women with IH and controls. However, there was no significant difference in insulin levels or HOMA scores between obese and nonobese women with PCOS. Additionally, the study revealed that nitrite/nitrate concentration was significantly lower and fibrinogen plasma levels were higher in the IH group compared to controls, with similar levels observed in IH and both PCO groups. Fasting insulin level, HOMA, and free androgen in the IH group were higher than in control subjects but lower than in both PCO groups. Glucose concentrations were similar among all four groups, and no cases of diabetes were reported. These findings suggest a new paradigm in the understanding of these conditions based on translational research. No commercial support was identified for this study.