Metformin and changes in serum lipid profile in lean patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Introduction: The aim of our study was to assess the values of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides before and after treatment with metformin in lean patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Material and methods: 32 patients received metformin 1500 mg per day in three divided doses. Lipids measurements were performed twice: before and after 6 months of treatment with metformin.

Results: In lean patients with PCOS after treatment with metformin we observed: statistically significant lower LDL-C levels (4.16±0.79 mmol/l vs 3.4±0.86 mmol/l, p<0.05) and triglycerides levels (1.8±0.53 mmol/l vs 1.12±0.64 mmol/l, p<0.05). We observed an increase in HDL values and a decrease in total cholesterol values, but these changes were not statistically significant (1.5±0.71 mmol/l vs 1.71±0.69 mmol/l, p=0.09; 5.87±0.92 mmol/l vs 5.69±0.97 mmol/l, p=0.11).

Conclusion: Our study showed that treatment of 1500 mg metformin for about six months among PCOS women results in an improvement in serum lipid profiles. We observed a significant decrease in LDL-C and triglycerides values after metformin therapy.