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CLINICAL STUDY |
1 Departments of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology and 2 Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University ‘Federico II’, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy, 3 Laboratory ‘MeriGen’ of Molecular Biology, Naples 80131, Italy, 4 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University ‘Magna Graecia’ of Catanzaro, Catanzaro 88100, Italy, 5 Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Cardiovascular and Immunological Sciences and 6 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University ‘Federico II’ of Naples, Naples 80131, Italy and 7 Endocrinology, Faculty of Exercise Sciences, ‘Parthenope’ University of Naples, Naples 80133, Italy
(Correspondence should be addressed to F Orio; Email: francescoorio{at}virgilio.it)
Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder associated with a wide range of endocrine and metabolic abnormalities. Low-grade chronic inflammation is a related complication recently observed in PCOS. Increased white blood cell (WBC) count was previously reported in PCOS women.
Objective: To evaluate the effects of six months metformin administration on WBC count in PCOS women.
Patients and methods: Fifty normal-weight PCOS women without additional metabolic or cardiovascular diseases were enrolled and treated with metformin (850 mg twice daily) for 6 months in a prospective baseline-controlled clinical study. At baseline and after treatment, WBC count and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated in each patient. The whole hormonal profile, serum insulin and glucose levels (at fasting and during a 75 g 2-h oral glucose tolerance test), serum lipid profile were also assessed.
Results: A significant difference was observed in WBC count (7050 ± 552 vs 6080 ± 577 cell/mm3 ± S.D., P<0.001) and CRP levels (1.8 ± 0.9 vs 1.1 ± 0.6 mg/l ± S.D., P<0.001) after metformin treatment in comparison with baseline values. SHBG levels and the free androgen index also changed significantly (P<0.001). Finally, high-density lipoproteins and the area under curve for glucose/area under curve for insulin ratio also significantly increased (P<0.001), whereas low-density lipoproteins and area under curve for insulin were significantly reduced (P<0.001). No other change was found in any of the biochemical parameters evaluated.
Conclusion: A six-month course of metformin reduces WBC count in PCOS women.
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  E. Diamanti-Kandarakis, C. D Christakou, E. Kandaraki, and F. N Economou Metformin: an old medication of new fashion: evolving new molecular mechanisms and clinical implications in polycystic ovary syndrome Eur. J. Endocrinol., February 1, 2010; 162(2): 193 - 212. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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 K. I. Cheang, J. M. Huszar, A. M. Best, S. Sharma, P. A. Essah, and J. E. Nestler Long-term effect of metformin on metabolic parameters in the polycystic ovary syndrome Diabetes and Vascular Disease Research, April 1, 2009; 6(2): 110 - 119. [Abstract] [PDF]
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 S. Palomba, A. Falbo, F. Zullo, and F. Orio Jr. Evidence-Based and Potential Benefits of Metformin in the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review Endocr. Rev., February 1, 2009; 30(1): 1 - 50. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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S. Tan, S. Hahn, S. Benson, T. Dietz, H. Lahner, L. C Moeller, M. Schmidt, S. Elsenbruch, R. Kimmig, K. Mann, et al. Metformin improves polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms irrespective of pre-treatment insulin resistance Eur. J. Endocrinol., November 1, 2007; 157(5): 669 - 676. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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