Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, ISSN 1923-2861 print, 1923-287X online, Open Access
Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, J Endocrinol Metab and Elmer Press Inc
Journal website http://www.jofem.org

Original Article

Volume 2, Number 1, February 2012, pages 11-20

Beta Endorphin Levels in PCOS Women: Relationship With Insulin Secretion

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1. Beta Endorphin levels in 40 women with PCOS.
Figure 2.
Figure 2. Graphs of Individual Observations of Beta endorphin by LH, LH/FSH Ratio, Insulin and log AUC-Insulin with Line-of-Best-Fit. N = 40 for all measurements except LH and LH/FSH ratio where the sample size was n = 38.

Tables

Table 1. Demographics and Behavioral Characteristics of the Study Population (n = 40)
 
FactorN (%), or Mean (sd) and range
Age27.5 (sd = 6.61), 18 - 43 years
Race
  White32 (80%)
  Black or African-American4 (10%)
  Asian or American Indian2 (5%)
  Mixed2 (5%)
Hispanic2 (5%)
Prior pregnancy history
  Nulligravida30 (75%)
  1 prior pregnancy3 (7.5%)
  2 prior pregnancies7 (17.5%)
Smoke5 (13%)
BMI29.4 (sd = 6.40), range 18.6 - 43.1
Number of periods in the most recent 12 months without medication5.1 (sd = 2.23)
Self-reported acne19 (48%)
Self-reported hirsutism30 (75%)
Exercise (38)
  None6 (15%)
  Some but less than national guidelines19 (48%)
  Meets national guidelines15 (37%)

 

Table 2. Spearman Rank Correlations and Partial Correlations (rs, P-value) for the Association Between Beta Endorphin With LH, LH/FSH Ratio, Fasting Insulin, AUC Insulin, Fasting Glucose, and AUC Glucose
 
Biological ParameterBivariate CorrelationPartial correlation controlling for BMIPartial correlation controlling for exercise (3-level variable)Partial correlation controlling for exercise(energy expenditure continuous variable)
*0.05 < P < 0.10; **P < 0.05; n = 40 for all measurements except LH and LH/FSH ratio where the sample size was n = 38.
LH0.18 (0.28)0.20 (0.24)0.18 (0.28)0.20 (0.23)
LH/FSH Ratio0.15 (0.38)0.14 (0.39)0.14 (0.40)0.16 (0.37)
I00.003 (0.98)-0.08 (0.63)-0.004 (0.98)-0.01 (0.94)
AUCI0.24 (0.14)0.25 (0.13)0.28 (0.09)*0.34 (0.04)**
G00.09 (0.59)-0.08 (0.65)-0.04 (0.79)-0.06 (0.74)
AUCG-0.01 (0.94)0.07 (0.69)0.09 (0.58)0.11 (0.53)