Amount, Distribution and Dysfunction of Body Fat as Determinants of Female Gonadal Dysfunction: From Functional Hypothalamic Amenorrhea to the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Diagnostic test, Procedure
Study Type: Observational
SUMMARY

Reproduction requires from women enough energy depots to warrant an adequate nutritional supply to the fetus. Hence, adipose tissue is able to communicate with female hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis. The hypothesis of the project is that abnormalities in the quantity (absolute and relative to lean body mass), distribution and/or function of adipose tissue are associated with functional forms of female gonadal dysfunction in predisposed women, in a spectrum of anomalies that go from hypothalamic amenorrhea to the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). To challenge this hypothesis, the investigators will study 5 groups of 10 women each: women with exercise-associated hypothalamic amenorrhea, women without ovulatory dysfunction that exercise equally, non-hyperandrogenic patients with PCOS, hyperandrogenic patients with PCOS, and healthy control women comparable to those with PCOS. The aims of the study will be: Primary objective: To identify novel signalling factors originating from adipose tissue and muscle using targeted and nontargeted evaluation of the proteome and of gene expression of superficial subcutaneous fat, deep subcutaneous fat (which mimics visceral adipose tissue) and skeletal muscle. Secondary objectives: 1. To study the serum adipokine profile - including those identified by the primary objective - and circulating gut hormones during fasting and after a glucose load in the 5 groups of women, and their associations with sexual hormones and body fat distribution. 2. To study body composition and body fat distribution in these women and their relationships with: 2.1, Sex steroid profiles. 2.2. Classic cardiovascular risk factors: carbohydrate metabolism, lipid profiles and blood pressure. 2.3 Markers of low-grade chronic inflammation. 2.4. Oxidative stress markers. 2.5. Cardiovascular autonomic function. 2.6. Surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis. 2.7. Circulating concentrations of endocrine disruptors. 2.8. Oral and gut microbiome. The results will provide a better understanding of the mechanisms linking body energy depots with the female reproductive axis and, hopefully, the identification of potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of the disorders studied here.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: Female
Minimum Age: 18
Maximum Age: 40
Healthy Volunteers: t
View:

⁃ Group I

• Body mass index between 18.5 and 25.0 kg/m2.

• Group 1 ovulatory dysfunction \[World Health Organization (WHO) classification\].

• Normal/low gonadotrophin levels \[follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing (LH) \< 10 IU/l\] and low estradiol (\< 50 pg/ml).

• Moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (\> 5 hours per week) plus low energy availability (\< 30 kcal/per kg of lean mass).

• Exclusion of secondary etiologies

• Informed consent signed.

⁃ Group II:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome phenotype I, II and III \[National Institute of Health (NIH)-2012\] with hyperandrogenemia (http://prevention.nih.gov/workshops/2012/resources.aspx).

• Body mass index between 18.5 and 40.0 kg/m2.

• Informed consent signed.

⁃ Group III:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome phenotype IV (NIH-2012) (http://prevention.nih.gov/workshops/2012/resources.aspx).

• Body mass index between 18.5 and 40.0 kg/m2.

• Informed consent signed.

⁃ Group IV:

• Body mass index between 18.5 and 25.0 kg/m2.

• Regular menses.

• Normal gonadotropins and estradiol levels at follicular phase.

• Moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (\> 5 hours per week) with normal energy availability (\> 30 kcal/per kg of lean mass).

• Informed consent signed.

⁃ Group V:

• No signs or symptoms of hyperandrogenism.

• No exercise or mild intensity physical activity.

• Regular menses.

• Body mass index between 18.5 and 40.0 kg/m2.

• Informed consent signed.

Locations
Other Locations
Spain
Endocrinology and Nutrition
RECRUITING
Madrid
Contact Information
Primary
Alejandra Quintero Tobar
mariaalejandra.quintero@salud.madrid.org
34913369029
Backup
Sara de Lope Quiñones
sara.lope@salud.madrid.org
34913369029
Time Frame
Start Date: 2020-01-31
Estimated Completion Date: 2025-12-31
Participants
Target number of participants: 50
Treatments
I- Hypothalamic amenorrhea
10 women with exercise-associated hypothalamic amenorrhea
II- Hyperandrogenic polycystic ovary syndrome
5 lean women with hyperandrogenic polycystic ovary syndrome. 5 women with weight excess and hyperandrogenic polycystic ovary syndrome.
III- Non-hyperandrogenic polycystic ovary syndrome
5 lean women with non-hyperandrogenic polycystic ovary syndrome 5 women with weight excess and non-hyperandrogenic polycystic ovary syndrome
IV- Trained women without ovulatory dysfunction
10 women who exercise as intensively as women with exercise-associated hypothalamic amenorrhea but with normal ovulatory cycles.
V- Non-hyperandrogenic healthy women
10 women matched by age and body mass index with women with polycystic ovary syndrome who do not perform physical activity on a regular basis
Sponsors
Collaborators: University of Alcala, Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Leads: Fundacion para la Investigacion Biomedica del Hospital Universitario Ramon y Cajal

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov