Effects of Metformin and Oral Hormonal Contraceptive in Adolescents With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Overview[ - collapse ][ - ]

Purpose The polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common endocrinopathy in reproductive age women. The pathophysiology of this syndrome remains unclear, but there are evidences that a decreased in insulin sensitivity may be related in this syndrome. There are studies that showed the action of factors on the sensitivity of the insulin receptor, such as melatonin. It is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, whose role is still uncertain in human reproduction, although many studies have found that it may relate sex hormone effect. Many patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may have hyperinsulinemia, and that pinealectomized rats determined hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, with reduced release of insulin in response to glucose. Therefore, it is supposed that blood levels of melatonin might correlate with the blood insulin concentration in patients with the syndrome. Moreover, the insulin sensitizing agents have been used in the treatment of patients with insulin resistance and PCOS, based on its main pathophysiological substrate which is the hyperinsulinemia. In fact, the metformin is the most used in the literature. However, there are few studies on the use of metformin in adolescents. The evidences of this drugs in this group of patients have showed good therapeutic response with few side effects. The objective of the study is to evaluate the effects of metformin on insulin resistance and levels of melatonin in adolescents with PCOS. It will be performed a prospective, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study with 90 adolescents with PCOS. It will be evaluated clinical and laboratory parameters (TSH, free T4, prolactin, FSH, LH, estradiol, total testosterone, androstenedione, DHEA-s, 17-OH progesterone, SHBG, free androgen index, index of HOMA-IR and QUICKI from fasting glucose and insulin, total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, creatinine, AST and ALT and creatinkinase, fibrinogen and PAI-1, and melatonin for 6 months of treatment.
ConditionPolycystic Ovary Syndrome
InterventionDrug: Placebo
Drug: Metformin
PhaseN/A
SponsorFederal University of São Paulo
Responsible PartyFederal University of São Paulo
ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT00988078
First ReceivedSeptember 30, 2009
Last UpdatedJune 24, 2012
Last verifiedOctober 2009

Tracking Information[ + expand ][ + ]

First Received DateSeptember 30, 2009
Last Updated DateJune 24, 2012
Start DateJuly 2011
Estimated Primary Completion DateDecember 2013
Current Primary Outcome Measuresserum melatonin [Time Frame: 0 and 6 months] [Designated as safety issue: Yes]
Current Secondary Outcome Measureshormonal and metabolic measurements, clinical assessment [Time Frame: 0, 3 and 6 months] [Designated as safety issue: Yes]

Descriptive Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Brief TitleEffects of Metformin and Oral Hormonal Contraceptive in Adolescents With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Official TitleEffect of Metformin Therapy on Insulin Resistance and Melatonin in Adolescents With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
Brief Summary
The polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common endocrinopathy in reproductive age women.
The pathophysiology of this syndrome remains unclear, but there are evidences that a
decreased in insulin sensitivity may be related in this syndrome. There are studies that
showed the action of factors on the sensitivity of the insulin receptor, such as melatonin.
It is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, whose role is still uncertain in human
reproduction, although many studies have found that it may relate sex hormone effect. Many
patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may have hyperinsulinemia, and that
pinealectomized rats determined hypoglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, with reduced release of
insulin in response to glucose. Therefore, it is supposed that blood levels of melatonin
might correlate with the blood insulin concentration in patients with the syndrome.
Moreover, the insulin sensitizing agents have been used in the treatment of patients with
insulin resistance and PCOS, based on its main pathophysiological substrate which is the
hyperinsulinemia. In fact, the metformin is the most used in the literature. However, there
are few studies on the use of metformin in adolescents. The evidences of this drugs in this
group of patients have showed good therapeutic response with few side effects. The objective
of the study is to evaluate the effects of metformin on insulin resistance and levels of
melatonin in adolescents with PCOS. It will be performed a prospective, randomized,
double-blind and placebo-controlled study with 90 adolescents with PCOS. It will be
evaluated clinical and laboratory parameters (TSH, free T4, prolactin, FSH, LH, estradiol,
total testosterone, androstenedione, DHEA-s, 17-OH progesterone, SHBG, free androgen index,
index of HOMA-IR and QUICKI from fasting glucose and insulin, total cholesterol and
fractions, triglycerides, creatinine, AST and ALT and creatinkinase, fibrinogen and PAI-1,
and melatonin for 6 months of treatment.
Detailed Description
Design: 90 patients will be selected to a prospective, randomized and double-blinded study.
They will be assigned to two groups: A) 45 patients, treated with OC (oral contraceptive)
and metformin 1500mg/ day. B) 45 patients, treated with OC and placebo. The length of
treatment was six months.

Inclusion criteria: patients until 19 years-old, at least 2 years after menarche, with
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome based on Rotterdan criterion. Exclusion criteria: patients with
Diabetes Mellitus, hypertension, hyperprolactinemia, adrenal enzymatic deficiency, Cushing
syndrome, thyroidopathy, renal or hepatic disfunction, use of OC or insulin-sensitising
drugs in the last 90 days before, pregnancy, androgen tumors, hormonal-sensitive tumors in
the past, contra-indication to the medications used in the study.

Clinical parameters included are weight and height (for BMI), waist to hip ratio, habits
like smoking or drinking, drug addiction, blood pressure measurement, hirsutism and acne.

Laboratorial parameters included are TSH, free T4, prolactin, FSH, LH, estradiol, total
testosterone, androstenedione, s-DHEA, 17-OH progesterone, SHBG, free androgen index,
fasting glucose and insulin, total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, creatinin, TGO,
TGP, CK, PAI-1, fibrinogen, melatonin.

Patients will be evaluated using these parameters in the beginning, 1, 3 and 6 months after
use of the drugs.
Study TypeInterventional
Study PhaseN/A
Study DesignAllocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator), Primary Purpose: Treatment
ConditionPolycystic Ovary Syndrome
InterventionDrug: Placebo
Capsule (without biologic action) administered three times a day for six months
Drug: Metformin
Metformin 500mg three times a day for six months
Study Arm (s)
  • Experimental: Metformin
    Metformin 500mg three times a day for six months
  • Placebo Comparator: Placebo
    1 capsule three times a day for six months

Recruitment Information[ + expand ][ + ]

Recruitment StatusRecruiting
Estimated Enrollment90
Estimated Completion DateDecember 2013
Estimated Primary Completion DateOctober 2013
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients until 19 years-old, at least 2 years after menarche

- Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome based on Rotterdan criteries

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients with Diabetes Mellitus, hypertension, hyperprolactinemia, adrenal enzymatic
deficiency, Cushing syndrome, thyroidopathy, renal or hepatic disfunction

- Use of OC or insulin-sensitising drugs in the last 90 days before

- Pregnancy

- Androgen tumors, hormonal-sensitive tumors in the past

- Contra-indication to the medications used in the study
GenderFemale
Ages11 Years
Accepts Healthy VolunteersAccepts Healthy Volunteers
ContactsContact: Margareth Iwata
55-11-24786169
megiwata@yahoo.com
Location CountriesBrazil

Administrative Information[ + expand ][ + ]

NCT Number NCT00988078
Other Study ID NumbersCEP 2102/08
Has Data Monitoring CommitteeYes
Information Provided ByFederal University of São Paulo
Study SponsorFederal University of São Paulo
CollaboratorsNot Provided
Investigators Study Director: Jose Maria Soares Junior Federal University os Sao PauloStudy Chair: Alexandre Rossi Federal University os Sao PauloStudy Director: Eduardo Leme Alves da Motta Federal University os Sao PauloPrincipal Investigator: Margareth Chiharu Iwata Federal University of Sao Paulo
Verification DateOctober 2009

Locations[ + expand ][ + ]

Federal University of Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Contact: Margareth Iwata | megiwata@yahoo.com
Recruiting