Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine if changes in blood vessel health lead to the menstrual irregularities that women with PCOS experience. This research study will help determine if women with PCOS have early changes in their blood vessels called "endothelial dysfunction," and if the number of progenitor cells (cells that in a healthy person repair blood vessel damage) are related to these blood vessel changes. To do so, we will compare ultrasound (soundwave) pictures of a large blood vessel in the arm and the results of blood tests between women with PCOS and other healthy women with normal menstrual periods.


Clinical Trial Description

Overview:

Although adult women with PCOS demonstrate evidence of endothelial dysfunction, little is known regarding alterations in the number of pro-inflammatory monocytes, CEC, CPC, and ECFC (endothelial injury/repair profile) among affected women. For many women, the clinical manifestations of PCOS emerge during adolescence. Based on studies documenting the increased prevalence of MetS and inflammatory markers in adolescent girls with PCOS, and non-invasive studies documenting the presence of endothelial dysfunction in children with traditional cardiovascular risk factors, it is likely adolescent girls with PCOS already manifest evidence of early vascular dysfunction, which may in turn impair follicular development and contribute to the development of infertility.

Consequently, we hypothesize that perturbations in the balance between circulating inflammatory and progenitor cells contribute to the endothelial dysfunction observed in adult women with PCOS. Specifically, we anticipate that PCOS women will manifest greater evidence of vascular injury (increased numbers of inflammatory monocytes, CEC, and ECFC) and impaired endothelial repair (decreased levels of CPC) compared with control women. Moreover, we propose that, in adolescent girls with PCOS, endothelial dysfunction and corresponding alterations in the endothelial injury/repair profile are already present.

Specific Aim 1: Determine if the endothelial injury/repair profile (inflammatory monocytes, CEC, CPC, and ECFC) assessed by flow cytometry (PFC) and endothelial function (assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery) are altered in treatment-naïve adult (18-40 years of age) women with PCOS (n=15) compared with age and body mass index (BMI)-matched control women (n=15).

Specific Aim 2: Determine if the endothelial injury/repair profile assessed by PFC, AGE levels, and endothelial function (assessed by FMD of the brachial artery) are altered in treatment-naïve adolescents (14-17 years of age) with PCOS (n=15) compared with age and BMI-Z-score-matched control girls (n=15).

Specific Aim 3: Determine if observed alterations in the endothelial injury/repair profile (pro-inflammatory monocytes, CEC, CPC and ECFC) or levels of AGE correlate with endothelial function (assessed by FMD of the brachial artery) in adolescent and adult women with (n=30) and without PCOS (n=30), and whether androgens, insulin resistance, or other cardiovascular risk factors influence these relationships.

This is a cross-sectional study design involving 30 post-menarchal adolescents and 30 adult female subjects. Specifically, the adolescent population will include 15 treatment-naïve adolescent females (ages 14-17 years) with PCOS and 15 age- and BMI-percentile-matched control adolescent subjects. Similarly, the adult study population will include 15 treatment-naïve adult females (ages 18-40 years) with PCOS and 15 age- and BMI-matched control women. All study procedures will be conducted at the Clinical Research Services Unit (CRSU) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) during a single visit (~3.5 hrs).

CRSU Visit:

Subjects will be admitted to the CRSU after a 12-hour overnight fast. Subjects will also be instructed to refrain from vigorous physical activity for 24 hours prior to the visit. All participants will undergo a detailed medical history (including a menstrual history) and a complete physical examination (including assessments of Tanner Staging for breast and pubic hair development). Hirsutism will be assessed using the modified Ferriman-Gallwey scoring system.

At the study visit, the following anthropometric measurements with be performed on all subjects:

- Blood pressure obtained in left arm - 3 readings at 5 minute intervals

- Pulse

- Temperature

- Height (2 measurements)

- Weight (2 measurements)

- Waist/umbilicus/hip circumference measurements (2 measurements)

- Bioimpedence

At the study visit a resting electrocardiogram (ECG) will be obtained for all subjects.

At the study visit, the following labs will be obtained on all subjects:

- Comprehensive metabolic panel

- Lipid panel

- Urine pregnancy

- TSH*

- Prolactin*

- 17-hydroxyprogesterone*

- Testosterone* *These analyses are to be performed only when additional eligibility screening is needed and only at PI request.

All subjects will undergo measurement of brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD). FMD testing will be performed by the PI or Co-Investigator in the CRSU Peripheral Vascular Lab with the assistance of a trained technician using an ultrasound peripheral vascular imaging system. Adult subjects only will also undergo brachial artery reactivity testing for the assessment of non-endothelial dependent (NED) vessel dilation following the administration of nitroglycerin. NED testing will be performed following a rest period of at least 15 minutes from completion of the FMD testing. 400 μg of nitroglycerin will be administered sublingually, and images will be recorded for at least 3 minutes following the administration of nitroglycerin.

Following the FMD testing (allow 30 minute interval), all subjects are to undergo a 2-hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test.

• Samples collected at baseline (-15 and 0) and 30 minute intervals for glucose, insulin ;


Study Design

Observational Model: Case Control, Time Perspective: Cross-Sectional


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT01615562
Study type Observational
Source Virginia Commonwealth University
Contact
Status Terminated
Phase N/A
Start date December 2011
Completion date July 2015

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Recruiting NCT06306417 - A Randomized Controlled Trial of Acupuncture for Insulin Resistance in Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome N/A
Completed NCT01927432 - Ultrasound Characterization of Ovarian Follicle Dynamics in Women With Amenorrhea
Completed NCT01927471 - Nutritional and Metabolic Correlates of Ovarian Morphology in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Completed NCT00805207 - Sex Steroids, Sleep, and Metabolic Dysfunction in Women N/A
Completed NCT01999686 - PCOS Treatment Using DLBS3233, Metformin, and Combination of Both Phase 3
Completed NCT03414957 - Malay Women With PCOS and Their Association With Metabolic Syndrome
Recruiting NCT06143527 - Safety of Cultured Allogeneic Adult Umbilical Cord Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for PCOS Phase 1
Recruiting NCT05394142 - A Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy, Tolerability, and Safety of a Fixed Dose Combination of Spironolactone, Pioglitazone & Metformin (SPIOMET) in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Phase 2
Completed NCT01233206 - Metformin in High Responder Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Patients Undergoing IVF Cycles Phase 4
Not yet recruiting NCT05272657 - Low-Carb Versus Mediterranean Diet in PCOS N/A
Completed NCT01733459 - Efficacy and Safety of DLBS3233 in Subjects With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Phase 3
Completed NCT04264832 - Body Fat Distribution and Its Associated Factors in Chinese Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Completed NCT03547453 - Ovarian Ultrasonography for the Clinical Evaluation of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Terminated NCT02865915 - MLE4901 vs. Placebo for the Treatment of PCOS Phase 2
Completed NCT02429128 - 14 Weeks Exercise Training on Lean Women With and Without PCOS N/A
Completed NCT01899001 - Mood and Nutrition Interventions in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome N/A
Completed NCT03151005 - The Effect of GLP-1 Agonists Versus OCs on Reproductive Disorders and Cardiovascular Risks in Overweight PCOS Phase 4
Completed NCT03792282 - Time-Restricted Feeding(TRF) on Overweight/Obese Women With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) N/A
Completed NCT04852510 - Amelioration of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Related Disorders by Supplementation of Thymoquinone and Metformin Phase 2/Phase 3
Recruiting NCT05200793 - Efficacy of Empagliflozin or Linagliptin as an Alternative to Metformin for Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Phase 4