Metformin decreases circulating acylation-stimulating protein levels in polycystic ovary syndrome

There are no studies that examine the circulating acylation-stimulating protein (ASP) levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The present study was designed to determine the ASP levels in PCOS and to evaluate the effect of metformin on plasma fasting ASP concentrations.

Twenty women with PCOS and 20 healthy controls matched for age and body mass index (BMI) were included in the study. We determined ASP and other biochemical parameters before and after treatment.

Baseline levels of plasma ASP, complement 3 (C3), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), fasting insulin, triglycerides (TG) and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) were significantly higher in patients than in controls. After 3 months of metformin treatment, BMI, WHR, ASP, C3, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, TG, VLDL-C and free testosterone decreased significantly, whereas apolipoprotein A-I and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased significantly.

The major novel information of the present study is that ASP and C3 values are markedly increased in non-obese patients with PCOS, with a decrease evidenced with metformin treatment.