Effect of Metformin on Sensitivity of the Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH) Pulse Generator to Suppression by Estradiol and Progesterone

Overview[ - collapse ][ - ]

Purpose Many, but not all, girls with high levels of the male hormone testosterone go on to develop polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as adults. Women with PCOS often have irregular menstrual periods, excess facial and body hair, and weight gain. PCOS is also a leading cause of difficulty becoming pregnant. The investigators do not understand why some girls with high hormones develop PCOS and others do not. In a previous study by our group, some girls with high levels of male hormones had abnormalities in the secretion of another hormone, called luteinizing hormone (LH), that are often seen in women with PCOS. However, another group had normal LH secretion. The girls with the abnormal LH secretion had higher levels of another hormone, called insulin, than the girls with normal LH secretion. The investigators will test whether metformin, an insulin-sensitizing agent, changes the effects of high male hormone levels in adolescent girls, specifically by looking at their LH secretion response following metformin treatment.
ConditionPolycystic Ovary Syndrome
Hyperandrogenism
InterventionDrug: Metformin
Drug: Progesterone
Drug: estrace
PhaseN/A
SponsorUniversity of Virginia
Responsible PartyUniversity of Virginia
ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT01427595
First ReceivedAugust 30, 2011
Last UpdatedDecember 9, 2013
Last verifiedDecember 2013

Tracking Information[ + expand ][ + ]

First Received DateAugust 30, 2011
Last Updated DateDecember 9, 2013
Start DateJuly 2008
Estimated Primary Completion DateApril 2015
Current Primary Outcome MeasuresChange in LH pulse frequency before and after Metformin treatment. [Time Frame: 12 weeks following start of metformin treatment] [Designated as safety issue: No]The primary aim will be to compare the change in 11-hour LH pulse frequency between the 1st and the 2nd admissions (Δ(2-1)) to the change in the 11-hour LH pulse frequency between the 3rd and the 4th admissions (Δ(4-3)).
Current Secondary Outcome MeasuresNot Provided

Descriptive Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Brief TitleEffect of Metformin on Sensitivity of the Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH) Pulse Generator to Suppression by Estradiol and Progesterone
Official TitleEffect of Metformin on Sensitivity of the GnRH Pulse Generator to Suppression by Estradiol and Progesterone in Hyperandrogenemic Adolescent Girls (JCM025)
Brief Summary
Many, but not all, girls with high levels of the male hormone testosterone go on to develop
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as adults. Women with PCOS often have irregular menstrual
periods, excess facial and body hair, and weight gain. PCOS is also a leading cause of
difficulty becoming pregnant. The investigators do not understand why some girls with high
hormones develop PCOS and others do not. In a previous study by our group, some girls with
high levels of male hormones had abnormalities in the secretion of another hormone, called
luteinizing hormone (LH), that are often seen in women with PCOS. However, another group
had normal LH secretion. The girls with the abnormal LH secretion had higher levels of
another hormone, called insulin, than the girls with normal LH secretion. The investigators
will test whether metformin, an insulin-sensitizing agent, changes the effects of high male
hormone levels in adolescent girls, specifically by looking at their LH secretion response
following metformin treatment.
Detailed DescriptionNot Provided
Study TypeInterventional
Study PhaseN/A
Study DesignIntervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Condition
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  • Hyperandrogenism
InterventionDrug: Metformin
500-2000 mg PO BID (X12 weeks)
Drug: Progesterone
oral progesterone suspension (20 mg/ml, 25-100 mg) three times a day at 0700, 1500, and 2300 hr for seven days (X2)
Drug: estrace
oral estrogen (estrace, 0.5-1 mg once a day for seven days)- X2
Study Arm (s)Experimental: Metformin, progesterone , estrace
12 weeks Metformin oral progesterone suspension (20 mg/ml, 25-100 mg) three times a day at 0700, 1500, and 2300 hr for seven days (2X) oral estrace, 0.5-1 mg once a day for seven days (2X)

Recruitment Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Recruitment StatusRecruiting
Estimated Enrollment30
Estimated Completion DateApril 2015
Estimated Primary Completion DateApril 2015
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

- Girls ages 10 to 17

- Hyperandrogenemic (free testosterone greater than 2.5 standard deviations above the
mean for normal control subjects of the same Tanner Stage)

- Creatinine clearance > 90 ml/min as calculated by the Cockcroft-Gault equation

- Hemoglobin > 12 mg/dL or Hematocrit > 36%

- Normal screening labs (with exception of the expected hormonal abnormalities inherent
in hyperandrogenemia)

- Sexually active subjects must agree to abstain or use double barrier contraception
during the study

- Subjects must agree not to take any other medications during the course of the study
without approval by the study investigators.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Abnormal screening labs (with the exception of the expected hormonal abnormalities
inherent in hyperandrogenemia)

- Creatinine clearance less than 90 ml/min as calculated by Cockcroft-Gault equation

- Hemoglobin <12 mg/dL or hematocrit < 36%

- Abnormal liver function tests, including Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine
Aminotransferase (ALT), Bilirubin, Albumin, and Alkaline Phosphatase

- Weight < 34 kg

- History of renal dysfunction, liver dysfunction, congestive heart failure, deep
venous thrombosis, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, or cervical cancer

- Pregnant or breast feeding

- On medications known to affect the reproductive axis within 3 months of the study
(including oral contraceptive pills, metformin, and spironolactone)

- Are currently participating in another study or have been in one in the last 30 days.

- Subjects using restricted medication (see restrictions below) are excluded unless the
subject's primary care provider approves stopping the medication.
GenderFemale
Ages10 Years
Accepts Healthy VolunteersNo
ContactsContact: Anne C Gabel, BSc
434-243-6911
pcos@virginia.edu
Location CountriesUnited States

Administrative Information[ + expand ][ + ]

NCT Number NCT01427595
Other Study ID Numbers13789
Has Data Monitoring CommitteeNo
Information Provided ByUniversity of Virginia
Study SponsorUniversity of Virginia
CollaboratorsEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Investigators Principal Investigator: John C. Marshall, MD, PhD University of Virginia
Verification DateDecember 2013

Locations[ + expand ][ + ]

Center for Research in Reproduction, University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, 22908
Contact: Anne C Gabel, BSc | 434-243-6911 | pcos@virginia.edu
Principal Investigator: John C. Marshall, MD, PhD
Recruiting