Lower sexual satisfaction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multi-symptom disorder linked with a range of metabolic and hormonal disturbances. Psychological and sexual aspects of PCOS also need to be considered. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to assess sexual satisfaction (SS) in PCOS patients and eumenorrheic controls (CON). The relationships between SS, depressive symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and hormonal and metabolic profiles were evaluated. METHODS: In this study, 190 patients with PCOS (mean age 26.34 ± 5.47 years) and 197 age-matched CON (mean age 27.12 ± 4.97 years) were enrolled. All subjects completed Polish version of the Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ), WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised (CESD-R) questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were collected to assess hormonal, lipid, and glucose profiles. Anthropometric measures were collected. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was evaluated according to the IDF-AHA/NHLBI criteria. RESULTS: Patients with PCOS and MS had lower SS vs non-MS-PCOS. There were no significant differences in the level of SS, presence of depressive symptoms, or HRQoL between PCOS and CON (P > 0.05). Negative correlations were found between the SS level and BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio in PCOS women. However, overweight or obese PCOS women did not differ in SS levels vs normal-weight PCOS patients. The social dimension of WHOQOL-BREF was the only significant predictor of SS in PCOS patients. CONCLUSIONS: SS in PCOS women appears to be undisturbed. However, MS in PCOS patients could negatively influence SS. The level of SS should be assessed in PCOS women, especially if MS is present.

The Inclusion of Tolfenamic Acid into Cyclodextrins Stimulated by Microenvironmental pH Modification as a Way to Increase the Anti-Migraine Effect.

PURPOSE: The poorly soluble nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), tolfenamic acid (TA), was studied to maximize its solubility, permeability through biological membranes, and pharmacological activity. METHODS: A mixture with magnesium stearate (MS) - microenvironment pH-modifier was prepared, as well as systems additionally containing incorporating substances methyl-ß-cyclodextrin (M-ß-CD) and 2-hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-CD). The identification of TA-MS-CD systems was confirmed using experimental methods: X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) with the theoretical support. Apparent solubility study was performed using the paddle apparatus, while in vitro gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability were conducted by using PAMPA (Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Assay). The in vivo part of the study used the mouse nitroglycerin (NTG)-induced migraine pain model. RESULTS: From practically insoluble substance, TA in TA-MS-M-ß-CD system dissolved up to 80.13% ± 2.77%, and in TA-MS-HP-ß-CD up to 92.39% ± 3.25% in 180 minutes. An increase in TA permeability was also obtained in the TA-MS-M-ß-CD and TA-MS-HP-ß-CD systems through GIT membranes (Papp values 2.057 x 10-5 cm s-1 and 2.091 x 10-5 cm s-1, respectively) and through BBB (Papp values 3.658 x 10-5 cm s-1 and 3.629 x 10-5 cm s-1, respectively). The enlargement of the solubility and permeability impacted analgesia. The dose 25 mg/kg of both TA-MS-HP-ß-CD and TA-MS-M-ß-CD was almost equally effective and only slightly less effective than the dose 50 mg/kg of pure TA. Both TA-MS-HP-ß-CD and TA-MS-M-ß-CD used at 50 mg/kg more effectively attenuated tactile allodynia in NTG-treated mice than the same dose of pure TA. None of TA forms influenced heat hyperalgesia. CONCLUSION: Increasing solubility of TA caused an increase of its analgesic effect in an animal model of migraine pain.