Serum levels of 3alpha-androstanediol glucuronide in hirsute and non hirsute women.

This study has evaluated the behaviour of 3alpha-androstanediol glucuronide (3alpha-diol G) in 170 women of whom 85 had polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), 35 had idiopathic hirsutism (IH) and 50 had regular cycles (control group). Of the women with PCOS, 45 were hirsute (PCOS-H) and 40 were non hirsute (PCOS-NH). Women in the control group were not hirsute. Hirsutism was assessed by the same physician using the Ferriman-Gallway score. The body mass index (BMI) was estimated in all of the women. Plasma concentrations of 3alpha-diol G were elevated only in hirsute patients, both with PCOS and with IH. Even in PCOS-NH, concentrations of 3alpha-diol G were higher compared with controls (P < 0.001), but significantly lower (P < 0.001) than those of the PCOS-H and of the IH groups. The behaviour of 3alpha-diol G was not affected by BMI.

[Finasteride and flutamide in the treatment of hirsutism]. / Finasteride e flutamide nel trattamento dell'irsutismo.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of two new antiandrogen drugs, finasteride and flutamide, in 80 hirsute patients: 44 with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and 36 with Idiopathic Hirsutism (IH). METHODS: The study was conducted in a randomized way and randomization was carried out according to hospitalization. Before and after the treatment, all of the patients underwent hematochemical tests, hormone assays and assessment of hirsutism with the Ferriman Gallway score (F.G. score) and with measurement of the hair diameter in four different body areas. Finasteride was administered per os to 40 women at the dose of 5 mg/die; flutamide per os to 40 women at the dose of 250 mg twice daily. Both drugs were employed for 6 consecutive months. RESULTS: Both finasteride and flutamide significantly reduced the F.G. score and hair diameter. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal hairs were more sensitive to the therapy.

Congenital heart disease in pregnancy.

The clinical cases of three patients affected respectively by Eisenmerger's syndrome, Marfan syndrome, coarctation of the aorta are described. All patients belonged to NYHA class I or II. During pregnancy contact with cardiologists, anaesthetists, neonatologists was maintained and this allowed accurate management. Both pregnancy and delivery evolved without any complication and with a positive outcome for mother and newborn.

The effects of somatostatin in the polycystic ovary syndrome.

Eighteen obese women (body mass index 30 +/- 6.1 kg/m2) with hyperinsulinaemia and with the polycystic ovary syndrome took octreotide at the dose of 100 mug s.c. The effect of the drug was assessed on plasma levels of gonadotropins luteinising hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), of insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), androstenedione, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3). Octreotide significantly reduced LH (31.8%), insulin (52%), IGF-1 (14%), androstenedione (22.6%) and testosterone (20%) and increased IGFBP-3 (25%).

Treatment of hirsutism by finasteride and flutamide in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Forty-four hirsute patients with polycystic ovary syndrome were randomly treated with finasteride (5 mg daily) or flutamide (250 mg twice daily) for 6 consecutive months. Hirsutism was evaluated before and after therapy with the Ferriman-Gallwey score and with measurement of hair diameter (micron). The hairs were taken from four different body areas: the face, abdomen, thighs and forearm. The measurement was carried out with a micrometer applied to the optical microscope. Mean plasma concentrations of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, testosterone, free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, insulin, and sex hormone binding globulin were determined before and after therapy. Hematochemical examinations and side-effects were controlled after the treatment. After 6-months' therapy, both antiandrogens significantly reduced the Ferriman-Gallwey score and hair diameter in all the body areas. Finasteride reduced the Ferriman-Gallwey score by 25% and hair diameter by 16-25%; flutamide reduced the score by 20% and hair diameter by 15.3-22%. Abdominal hairs were more sensitive to both drugs. Flutamide induced a significant drop in total testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. No important side-effect or change in the hematochemical parameters was observed. Our data demonstrate that finasteride and flutamide are effective in the treatment of hirsutism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.