The effect of oral contraceptive use on sympatic nerve activity in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: High sympathetic nerve activity, is thought to be a cardiovascular risk factor, has been shown to correlate with circulating high testosterone levels. However its role on the pathophysiology of the polycystic ovarian syndrome has not been clearly established. The aim of our study is to compare the sympathetic nerve activity between polycystic ovarian syndrome and control group and to determine whether the use of oral contraceptives for contraception has any effect on this activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study has designed as a prospective, case-control study including patients diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Antropometric measurements were calculated, hormone levels were measured and sympathetic skin response and heart rate variability measurements were performed in the laboratory to assess sympathetic activity before starting oral contraceptive pill therapy and at the end of 1 month follow up. RESULTS: In the baseline condition LH/FSH ratio, LH, DHEAS, and total testosterone levels were significantly higher in women with PCOS. After 1 month of treatment, reductions in Ferriman-Gallwey score, ovarian volumes, number of follicles, LH/FSH ratio, LH, and androgen hormone levels were statistically significant. The mean values of sympathetic skin response amplitude and R-R analysis-Valsalva test were higher in PCOS group as compared to the control group. However, these differences were not statistically significant. Similarly, no statistically significant difference in SSR latency and R-R analysis-standup test were demonstrated between PCOS and control groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our study supports the increased sympatovagal activity in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Resveratrol (trans-3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene) decreases lipid peroxidation level and protects antioxidant capacity in sera and erythrocytes of old female Wistar rats induced by the kidney carcinogen potassium bromate.

Resveratrol is a natural polyphenolic compound and it is found in number of edible plants, especially grapes and peanuts, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor and anti-platelet activities. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of resveratrol on the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), homocysteine, cholesterol, GSH, GSSG and lipophylic vitamins in serum and erythrocytes of old female Wistar rats induced by the kidney carcinogen potassium bromate (KBrO(3)). In the study, total 30-old female Wistar rats were used, and the rats were randomly divided into three groups. The first group was used as a control, the second group KBrO(3) group, and third group R+KBrO(3). Rats in KBrO(3) and R+KBrO(3) groups were injected intraperitoneally a single dose KBrO(3) (80mg/kg) in physiologic saline buffer. After 2days, those in R+KBrO(3) group were intraperitoneally injected with resveratrol (33mg/kg) four times per week, and physiological saline was injected to control group rats. All the analysis was performed fully automatic with high performance liquid chromatography equipment. The results indicate that serum cholesterol level in the R+KBrO(3) group was higher than the control group (p<0.05), and level of the cholesterol in erythrocytes membranes was lower in the same group (p<0.01). The MDA level in serum and erythrocytes of the R+KBrO(3) were lower than the control and KBrO(3) groups (p<0.01). However, the MDA level in erythrocytes of the KBrO(3) group was high compared to the control group (p<0.05). Homocysteine and δ-tocopherol levels in serum of the R+KBrO(3) group were lower than the control group (p<0.05, p<0.001). α-Tocopherol level in serum and erythrocytes of the KBrO(3) group was lower than the control group (p<0.05), whereas its level was not found to differ between the control and R+KBrO(3) groups. GSH and GSSG levels in the KBrO(3) group of erythrocytes were higher than control group (p<0.05, p<0.01), however the ratio GSH/GSSG in the same group was lower than control group. In conclusion, our results confirm that the lipid peroxidation formation in serum and erythrocytes of old female Wistar rats by induced the KBrO(3) is prevented by the resveratrol. It was observed that the antioxidant capacity of erythrocytes was protected by resveratrol.