J Korean Diabetes Assoc JKDA The Journal of Korean Diabetes Association 1015-6461 Korean Diabetes Association 10.4093/jkda.2007.31.6.480 Original Articles Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-γ (PPARγ) Polymorphism in Korean Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Oh Jee-Young Lee Hyejin Hong Young Sun Sung Yeon-Ah Chung Hye Won 1 Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Korea. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Korea. 11 2007 30 11 2007 31 6 480 487 17 10 2007 23 11 2007 Copyright © 2007 Korean Diabetes Association 2007 Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disease affecting 5~10% of women with reproductive age. Familial aggregation suggests the evidence supporting a genetic basis for PCOS. The mode of inheritance of PCOS is not yet clear, however, probably polygenic and might be related to insulin resistance. Polymorphism of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ gene is a susceptible gene for the development of obesity and diabetes. In this study, we examined the frequency and genetic effect of PPAR-γ polymorphism on insulin resistance or hyperandrogenemia in Korean women with PCOS.

 Methods

One-hundred twenty five Korean women with PCOS were evaluated for their metabolic and reproductive hormonal status. PPAR-γ polymorphism was analyzed.

 Results

Genetic frequency of PPAR-γ was not significantly different between women with PCOS (n = 125) and those with regular menstrual cycles (n = 344). PCOS with Pro12Ala polymorphism had significantly higher levels of waist circumference and subcutaneous fat area compared with those with Pro12Pro genotype. They also had tendency of higher levels of fasting glucose concentration, body mass index (BMI) and visceral fat area. After BMI adjustment, this polymorphism was related to lower fasting insulin and higher insulin sensitivity index, and higher sex hormone binding globulin and lower free testosterone levels.

 Conclusion

Pro12Ala polymorphism of PPAR-γ gene might be associated with obesity. However, after BMI adjustment, it may have favorable effect on insulin resistance and hyperandrogenemia. Because this study has limitations to conclude the genetic causality, further study is needed to support these findings.

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Clinical and biochemical characteristics in total subjects

Data are means ± SD. Because fasting insulin and TG showed slightly skewed deviation, analyses were performed by means of log transformed data. BMI, body mass; TG, triglycende; SHGB, sex hormone binding globulin; NS, not significant.

Genetic frequency of PPAR-γ in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and control

Data are n (%). Genotypic frequency is not significant.

Clinical and biochemical characteristics according to PPAR-γ polymorphism in women with PCOS

Data are means ± SD. These analyses were performed by Mann-Whitney U-test. BMI, body mass; TG, triglycende; SHGB, sex hormone binding globulin; NS, not significant.

BMI-adjusted insulin sensitivity and reproductive hormone levels according to PPAR-γ polymorphism in women with PCOS

Data are means ± SE. SHGB, sex hormone binding globulin; NS, not significant.