Plasma level of calcitonin gene-related peptide in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and its relationship to hormonal and metabolic parameters

The aim of the study was to evaluate the plasma level of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its relationship to hormonal and metabolic parameters. We also observed the effect of CGRP on testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) release in cultured human granulosa cells. PCOS subjects (n = 215) and matched healthy control women (n = 103) at age of 22–38 years were enrolled in this study. We analyzed plasma CGRP concentrations, relationship of plasma CGRP with insulin resistance (IR), body mass index (BMI), luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone (LH/FSH) ratio and T. The T and E2 release levels of cultured human granulosa cells treated by CGRP were also measured. The results showed that plasma CGRP concentrations were significantly higher in women with PCOS than those of control subjects. In women with PCOS, there was a strong positive correlation between the plasma CGRP level with HOMA-IR, AUC-insulin, AUC-glucose, the ratio of LH/FSH and plasma T concentration. Human granulosa cells expressed CGRP receptor. Exogenous CGRP caused an elevation of T and E2 released from the human granulosa cells. These findings suggest that CGRP may participate in the pathophysiological process of PCOS.

► The plasma CGRP levels in both PCOS and control subjects were measured and the correlations of insulin, gonadal hormone levels with CGRP in PCOS were analyzed. ► The plasma CGRP level in women with PCOS was higher than that of control subjects, and the hormonal and metabolic parameters was positive correlation with CGRP levels. ► Human granulosa cells expressed CGRP receptor and CGRP caused an elevation of T and E2 released from the human granulosa cells.