Potential New Pharmacological Approaches in Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

Obesity is frequently present in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It aggravates the adverse features of the syndrome and increases the metabolic risk in this population. Weight management by life style intervention often remains unsatisfactory and non-sustainable. In the present mini review, we revised limited studies addressing the potential use of agents mediating through glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 in PCOS. We reported that short-term intervention with long acting GLP-1 analogue liraglutide is associated with consistent BMI decrease in treatment naive obese women with PCOS and in those who had been previously poor responders to metformin and life style modification. Metformin, a well-established therapy used in PCOS with high metabolic risk, was recognized as a mechanistically well-suited combination with liraglutide. Short-term intervention with liraglutide also improved eating behavior in obese PCOS. Furthermore, we discussed the potential association of genetic variability of GLP-1 receptor and inter-individual differences in response to liraglutide regarding weight reduction. In addition, we challenged the original concept related to the enhancement of GLP-1 mediated action through phosphordiesterase 4 (PDE 4) inhibitions as a new potential therapeutic target in obesity-related population. We concluded that GLP-1 mediated agents are promising treatment strategies in the management of obese PCOS. However, larger sample size studies with longer durations of treatment may be required to examine potential benefits of these medications in decreasing metabolic risk and improving reproductive out come in obese PCOS.

Liraglutide Reduces Carotid Intima-Media Thickness by Reducing Small Dense Low-Density Lipoproteins in a Real-World Setting of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Novel Anti-Atherogenic Effect

“…Also, it should be mentioned that liraglutide per se may improve eating behavior in obese patients with T2DM (especially the urge for fat intake) and that this improvement may be maintained for 6 months after discontinuation of the treatment [ 31 , 32 ]; this mechanism could further explain liraglutide’s effect on weight loss. There is also a potential association of genetic variability of GLP-1 receptor and inter-individual differences in response to liraglutide related to a reduction in body weight [ 33 ].…”

New alternative herbal remedies for treatment of letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome in rats

“…Increased androgen levels are also linked to dermatological issues such as female pattern baldness, acne, and hirsutism (Rojas et al, 2014). PCOS is characterized by irregular ovulation, irregular menstrual cycles, delayed pregnancy or recurrent abortions, depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and other health complications (Janez and Jensterle, 2017).…”