C-reactive protein and lipid profile in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome treated by metformin

Objective: To evaluate the effect of metformin on serum hs-CRP levels and lipid profile in patients with PCOS in Mosul City in Iraq.

Methodology: This is a case control study conducted at the Fertility and Sterility Clinic in the Medical Center that belongs to Mosul Medical College / Iraq, from the 1st of November 2009 to the 15th May 2010. A group of 43 women with PCOS of reproductive age who used metformin for more than three months (metformin users), with another age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched group of 53 women with PCOS who did not use metformin (metformin non-users), were included in this study. From each patient, a 10 ml fasting venous blood sample was taken. The serum was used to measure the biochemical parameters using commercially available kits, whereas serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) was calculated using Friedewald equation. Atherogenic index (AI) was recognized by simple equation and BMI was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the squared height in meters.

Results: This study revealed a significant lower level of hs-CRP (P = 0.04) in metformin users as compared with metformin non-users. There were a significant lower levels of total cholesterol (TC) (P = 0.003), LDL-c (P < 0.001), AI (P < 0.001) and significantly higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c)(P = 0.026) in metformin users when compared with metformin non-users, but a non significant reduction in triglycerides (TG) level between the two groups of patients.

Conclusion: Metformin therapy for more than three months seems to have beneficial and a favorable effects on both lipid profile and hs-CRP serum level respectively in patients with PCOS.