Tehran University Medical Journal

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Background: Some complications of pregnancy such as abortion, gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, and preterm delivery are more common among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Recently it has been reported that metformin treatment during pregnancy reduces pregnancy complications, so this study was conducted to demonstrate the possible effects of metformin on the uteroplacental circulation and pregnancy complications. Methods: Seventy pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) from 1386 to 1388 were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of metformin during pregnancy in Shariati hospital. Doppler ultrasound examinations of the uterine arteries and umbilical artery were performed at 12th and 20th weeks of gestation. All patients were followed up to the end of pregnancy, then the effect of metformin on the uteroplacental circulation was evaluated by the comparison of the pulsatility index (PI) of uterine arteries and prevalence of obstetric complications between two groups. Results: The mean reduction of PI in metformin group from 12th to 20th weeks of gestation was 0.38 versus 0.16 in placebo group (p=0.016). Gestational diabetes mellitus,pre-eclampsia and preterm delivery, were more common in pregnant women in placebo group but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Metformin treatment in pregnancy accompanied with reduced uterine artery impedance between 12 and 20 weeks of gestation but this reduction showed no effect on the pregnancy complications such as preterm delivery, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes

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Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common complex condition. Evidences from studies on women with PCOS and rat PCO model suggest that the sympathetic regulatory drive to the ovary may be unbalanced (hyperactivity). Findings that support the involvement of sympathetic nervous system in the pathophysiology of PCOS are that the catecholaminergic nerve fibers in the polycystic ovaries of women with PCOS are denser than in normal ovaries. The purpose of this study was reduction of this hyperactivity.

Methods: This study was clinical trial and was performed in Reproductive Health Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran, during January 2013 to 2015. A total of 61 women between aged 20-40 years and BMI under 28 kg/m2, who were previously diagnosed with PCOS were assessed. The diagnosis of PCOS was made according to joint criteria of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ESHRE/ASRM). The study objectives were explained to the patients before they entered the study, and an informed consent was obtained from all. They were divided into three groups as follows: (i) two study group (n=39) and (ii) control group (n=22). For evaluating effects of alpha-2 inhibitors (Clonidine and Yohimbine) by Eliza, the following variables were evaluated before and after drug therapy: serum cortisol adrenaline (A) noradrenalin (NA) beta-endorphin (&beta-End) insulin as well as sex hormones including FSH, LH and Estradiol.

Results: Our results showed that, Clonidine as central anti-adrenergic drug causes 61% of all pregnancies in the study group. This is high percentage of the pregnancy rate compared with yohimbine (P< 0.001). Yohimbine (Indol alkaloid) as alpha-2 adenoceptor antagonist increases follicular development in this disease. This follicle growth is higher than clonidine (P< 0.01).

Conclusion: Our findings showed that increasing the pregnancy rate and follicular development represent the strategic role of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in polycystic ovary syndrome and) SNS may thus offer a novel biological and pharmacological target in treatment of PCOS.