The Relation Between Insulin Resistance and Sympathetic Skin Response in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Authors : Nazan Dolu, Setenay Batir, Tayfun Turan, Fahri Bayram

Pages : 19-26

View : 31 | Download : 25

Publication Date : 2025-04-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: Changes in sympathetic activity are responsible for disorders such as hypertension and insulin resistance observed in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The Sympathetic skin response (SSR) reflects the activity of the sudomotor glands stimulated by the sympathetic nerves. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between insulin resistance and SSR in PCOS patients. In addition, the effect of insulin resistance treatment with the antidiabetic agent metformin on SSR was explored. Material and Methods: Thirty PCOS patients with insulin resistance who did not receive metformin therapy and twenty healthy women were included in the study. Hormone, oral glucose tolerance test, and HOMA score (Homeostasis Model Assessment) measurements were performed on all participants. Skin conductance level (SCL) which is a parameter of SSR and reflects sympathetic activity was recorded from the all participants without anxiety-depression. All measurements were repeated after treatment with 1500-2000 mg/day metformin for 6 months in PCOS patients. Results: Testosterone, and androstenedione levels, HOMA-insulin resistance values were significantly higher in PCOS patients than healthy controls (p <0.00). SCL was higher in PCOS patients than in the healthy group before metformin treatment (p<0.05), but significantly decreased after metformin treatment and approached the value of the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The high SCL observed in PCOS patients indicates increased sympathetic activity in these patients. The decrease in SCL after treatment of PCOS patients with metformin indicates that metformin may have an ameliorative effect on some PCOS symptoms by reducing sympathetic activity.
Keywords : Polikistik over sendromu, Sempatik deri cevabı, İnsülin direnci, sempatik aktivite