Anandamide is associated with waist-to-hip ratio but not with Body Mass Index in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND: The endocannabinoid system is involved in the regulation of energy balance and ovarian function and may be implicated in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The purpose of the present study is to determine anandamide (AEA) levels in PCOS patients and controls and to analyze its association with metabolic and hormonal disturbances in women with PCOS. METHODS: The study included 88 women - 58 patients with PCOS (25.9 +/- 5.2 years) and 30 healthy controls (27.6 +/- 5.2 years). Further, patients were divided into two subgroups according to their waist-to-hip ratio (WHR): android type PCOS (WHR >= 0.85; N.=26) and gynoid type PCOS (WHR<0.85; N.=32). Detailed anthropometric measurements, hormonal and biochemical tests and pelvic ultrasound were obtained between the 3rd and 5th day of a menstrual cycle. AEA was examined by ELISA kits. RESULTS: Patients with PCOS and healthy controls did not differ in anthropometric, metabolic parameters, AEA, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels. The PCOS group had increased total testosterone, FAI, DHEAS, androstenedione, and 17-OH-progesterone levels (P<0.001) and elevated LH/FSH ratio (P=0.023). A negative correlation between AEA levels was found with glycaemia at 120 minutes (r=-0.304, P=0.020) and WHR (r=-0.266, P=0.044). In the subanalysis of patients, the gynoid type group had significantly higher levels of AEA than the android type PCOS (5.4 [2.3;8.8] vs. 2.5 [1.8;5.1]; P=0.020). CONCLUSIONS: AEA did not differ between healthy women and patients, but a significant difference in its levels was found in PCOS patients divided according to their body constitution type.