Metanephrine and Normetanephrine Urine Excretion in Patients with PCOS

Abstract

Aims: The present study aims to investigate the association between catecholamine metabolites (normetanephrine [NMN] and metanephrine [MN]) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and its clinical manifestations.

Materials and methods: A total of 60 female patients (18-37 years) were included in the study. Twenty-five healthy women and 35 patients with PCOS provided blood and urine samples. Anthropometric, biochemical, and hormonal parameters, e.g. immunoreactive insulin, total testosterone, gonadotropins, and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) have been investigated. Twenty-four-hour urinary metanephrines (MN and NMN) were measured by radioimmunoassay technique.

Results: MN and NMN showed a strong positive correlation (r = +0.645, p < 0.001) in women with PCOS, but nephrines were not significantly associated with the hormonal, anthropometric, and metabolic parameters of the patients (p > 0.05 for all). No differences in urinary nephrines concentrations between women with PCOS and healthy individuals after adjustment for age and BMI were established. However, lower 24-hour urinary MN levels predicted the development of menstrual irregularity after adjustment for age and BMI (OR = 1,015 [95% CI 1,001-1,029], p = 0,036).

Conclusions: Adrenomedullary dysfunction might influence the development of chronic anovulation in young women.