Serum vascular endothelial growth factor B is elevated in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and can be decreased with metformin treatment.

OBJECTIVE:To determine serum vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGF-B) levels in polycystic ovary syndrome, their association with insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction, and the effect of metformin on serum VEGF-B levels. DESIGN:A cross-sectional, interventional study. PATIENTS:We recruited 103 women with polycystic ovary syndrome and 96 age-matched healthy controls. Serum VEGF-B levels were determined in all participants, and 44 polycystic ovary syndrome patients randomly received metformin. MEASUREMENTS:We measured VEGF-B levels in healthy controls and women with polycystic ovary syndrome before and after metformin treatment. RESULTS:Women with polycystic ovary syndrome had higher serum VEGF-B levels, which decreased with metformin treatment. In the lean and overweight/obese groups, patients with polycystic ovary syndrome had higher plasma VEGF-B levels than did healthy controls (P < 0·05). VEGF-B levels were correlated with body mass index, body fat percentage, M values, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and β-cell function indices. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that VEGF-B level was associated with M values after adjusting for age, body mass index, serum sex hormones and serum lipids in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. CONCLUSIONS:Serum VEGF-B is significantly higher in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and is closely and positively related to insulin resistance. Metformin treatment reduces VEGF-B levels and ameliorates insulin resistance.

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