A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study on the Effects of Pioglitazone on Cortisol Metabolism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

April 2008 in “ Fertility and sterility ”

Dorte Glintborg, Anne Pernille Hermann, Claus Hagen, Lars Thorbjørn Jensen, Jan Frystyk, Eric Bennett, Allan Flyvbjerg, Marianne Andersen

pioglitazone cortisol metabolism polycystic ovary syndrome insulin sensitivity growth hormone adiponectin insulin-like growth factor I 5α-reductase testosterone dihydrotestosterone dehydroepiandrosterone DHEA sulfate steroid metabolites Actos PCOS GH IGF-I DHEAS

TLDR Pioglitazone improved insulin sensitivity and altered cortisol metabolism in PCOS patients.

The study investigated the effects of pioglitazone on cortisol metabolism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) through a randomized placebo-controlled trial involving 30 participants over 16 weeks. Pioglitazone treatment significantly improved insulin sensitivity, increased growth hormone (GH), adiponectin, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels, and decreased relative 5α-reductase activity. However, it did not significantly change testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulfate (DHEAS), 24-hour mean cortisol, or urinary excretion of steroid metabolites. The study concluded that pioglitazone decreased relative 5α-reductase activity without significantly altering cortisol levels or urinary cortisol excretion.

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