抵抗素在肝脏胰岛素抵抗中的作用及其机制

目的： 探讨抵抗素在肝脏胰岛素抵抗中的作用及其可能的机制。方法： 将载有抵抗素基因的重组腺病毒经尾静脉注射构建高抵抗素血症小鼠模型,同时设正常对照组及病毒对照组,取肝脏组织切片行PAS糖原染色半定量观察肝糖代谢的变化;以Western blotting检测肝腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶（AMPK）的磷酸化,以磷酸化AMPK/总AMPK的比值代表AMPK激活程度;以实时 PCR检测肝组织糖异生关键酶葡萄糖6磷酸酶（G6Pase）和磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧激酶（PEPCK）mRNA表达水平的变化。结果： 重组腺病毒注射第5 d,获得血中抵抗素高表达构建了高抵抗素血症动物模型,糖原染色示高抵抗素血症小鼠肝糖原含量较正常对照及病毒对照组降低,分别为0.78±0.06 vs 0.93±0.13、0.89±0.05（P<0.05）;高抵抗素血症组肝AMPK磷酸化水平较正常对照及病毒对照组下降, 磷酸化AMPK/总AMPK比值分别为0.78±0.06 vs 0.93±0.13、 0.89±0.05（P<0.05）。高抵抗素血症小鼠G6Pase和PEPCK 的mRNA表达升高,高抵抗素血症组、对照组及空载病毒组G6Pase分别为2.136±0.857 vs 1.353±0.490、 1.250±0.770 （P<0.05）;高抵抗素血症组、对照组及空载病毒组 PEPCK分别为3.54±0.90 vs 2.75±0.78、 2.63±0.67（P<0.05）。结论： 抵抗素可能通过抑制肝脏AMPK活性,增加肝糖异生关键酶的表达而影响机体肝糖代谢,降低肝糖储量,参与肝脏胰岛素抵抗的形成。     

BCG 免疫对2 型糖尿病小鼠血糖和免疫应答的影响

目的:探究BCG 免疫对2 型糖尿病小鼠血糖和免疫应答的影响。方法:BCG 经尾静脉注射小鼠,高糖高脂饮食联合小剂量多次腹腔注射链尿佐菌素建立2 型糖尿病模型。检测小鼠体重、空腹血糖和葡萄糖耐量试验血糖水平,测定小鼠细胞免疫应答水平。结果:BCG 免疫下调2 型糖尿病小鼠空腹血糖和糖负荷后的血糖水平;BCG 免疫促进Th1 型细胞反应,显著抑制2 型糖尿病小鼠Th2 型细胞因子的释放。结论:BCG 免疫可能通过抑制2 型糖尿病小鼠炎症因子的释放下调其血糖水平,有助于延缓糖尿病的发展进程。     

空腹血糖正常的冠心病患者糖代谢状况及胰岛素水平分析

目的：探讨空腹血糖正常的冠心病患者的糖代澍状况及胰岛素敏感性的改变。方法：检测67例空腹血糖正常的冠心病住院患者和35例健康者的空腹及餐后2h的血糖和胰岛索水平,并根据餐后2h血糖结果将冠心病患者分为3组：正常糖耐量组（NGT）、单纯性糖耐量受损组（I—IGT）、单纯性负荷后高血精组（IPH）。应用李光伟指数（IAI）评价机体的胰岛素敏感性。结果：67例空腹血糖正常的冠心病患者中糖代谢异常的发生率为74．63％,所有冠心病患音餐后胰岛素水平显著高于正常对照组（P〈0．05）,IPH组的胰岛素敏感性显著低于其他各组（P均〈0．05）。结论：空腹血糖正常的冠心病患者中绝大多数合并糖代谢异常,并存在高胰岛索血症,合并IPH的冠心病患者胰岛素的敏感性较低。检测餐后血糖和胰岛素对冠心病患者合并糖代谢异常的预防、诊断、疗效评估有重要意义。     

妊娠糖尿病孕妇血浆抵抗素水平及其与胰岛素和血糖关系的研究

目的探讨妊娠期糖尿病(GDM)孕妇血浆抵抗素水平及其与胰岛素和血糖的关系。方法采用竞争性酶联免疫吸附法(ELI SA)检测25例GDM组孕妇和30例正常孕妇空腹血浆抵抗素水平;采用葡萄糖氧化酶法测定两组孕妇空腹血糖水平;采用电化学发光法测定两组孕妇的空腹血浆胰岛素水平。结果(1)GDM组孕妇空腹血浆抵抗素水平为(15.32±4.26)μg/L,正常妊娠组孕妇为(11.08±1.52)μg/L两组比较,差异有极显著性(P<0.01);(2)GDM组孕妇空腹血浆胰岛素,血糖水平分别为(13.18±3.25)m IU/L,(9.13±1.34)mmol/L正常妊娠组孕妇分别为(9.10±3.41)m IU/L,(4.72±1.05)mmol/L。两组比较差异有极显著性(P<0.01);(3)GDM组孕妇血浆抵抗素水平与胰岛素、血糖水平呈明显的正相关关系,相关系数(r)分别为0.812,0.573;正常妊娠组孕妇则无相关性。结论GDM孕妇血浆抵抗素水平升高,其抵抗素水平的高低与空腹血浆胰岛素及血糖水平相关。     

妊娠糖尿病孕妇血浆抵抗素水平与胰岛素和血糖的分析

目的分析妊娠期糖尿病(GDM)孕妇血浆抵抗素水平与胰岛素和血糖的关系。方法采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测53例妊娠期糖尿病GDM组孕妇和50例正常孕妇空腹血浆抵抗素水平;采用葡萄糖氧化酶法测定两组孕妇空腹血糖水平;采用发光免疫法测定两组孕妇的空腹血浆胰岛素水平。结果 GDM组孕妇空腹血浆抵抗素水平为(18.14±5.37)μg/L,正常妊娠组孕妇为(13.25±2.27)μg/L两组比较,差异有极显著性(t=5.96,P0.05);GDM组孕妇空腹血浆胰岛素、血糖水平分别为(12.64±4.35)mIU/L、(8.83±2.13)mmol/L,正常妊娠组孕妇分别为(10.21±4.22)mIU/L、(5.38±1.47)mmol/L,两组比较差异有极显著性(t=2.87和t=9.51,P0.05)。结论 GDM孕妇血浆抵抗素水平升高,其抵抗素水平与空腹血浆胰岛素及血糖水平有关。     

完全脾切除增加了小鼠胰岛对STZ的敏感性

目的: 探讨脾脏对链脲菌素(STZ)损伤胰岛β细胞是否具有保护作用。方法: 以外科手术切除小鼠全脾。60只脾切除小鼠随机分为3组,分别以80 mg/kg、160 mg/kg STZ给小鼠腹腔注射,另一组腹腔注射生理盐水。60只正常小鼠做同样分组及处理。1周后,测定各组小鼠空腹血糖、血清胰岛素水平,免疫组化分析各组胰岛β细胞总量,ELISA法分析胰岛细胞凋亡,Luminol化学发光法测定各组胰腺活性氧簇(ROS)水平。结果: 80 mg/kg STZ处理脾切除组空腹血糖浓度显著升高,血清胰岛素显著降低;同剂量STZ处理的正常小鼠血糖及胰岛素水平则正常;此外, 80 mg/kg STZ处理的脾切除小鼠β细胞总量、胰岛凋亡细胞核小体聚集值及胰腺组织ROS的产生与同剂量STZ处理的正常小鼠相比均有显著差异。结论: 脾可以阻止低剂量STZ对正常小鼠胰岛β细胞的破坏作用。完全脾切除增加了胰岛对STZ的敏感性,这一作用与胰腺组织ROS增加相关。     

内脂素、抵抗素在妊娠期糖尿病发病中的作用

目的探讨新近发现的两种脂肪细胞因子——内脂素和抵抗素,与胰岛素抵抗的关系及其在妊娠期糖尿病(GDM)发病中的作用。方法采用病例对照的研究方法,通过检测40例GDM孕妇和40例正常孕妇的血清内脂素(Visfa-tin)、抵抗素(Resistin)空腹血糖(FPG)和空腹胰岛素(FINS)水平,计算HOMA稳态模型胰岛素抵抗指数(IRI),比较两组胰岛素抵抗程度的差异,并进一步分析内脂素、抵抗素与胰岛素抵抗之间的关系及其在GDM发生过程中所起的作用。结果 (1)GDM组的血清内脂素、抵抗素、空腹血糖(FPG)、空腹胰岛素(FINS)和胰岛素抵抗指数(IRI)均明显高于对照组(P<0.01)。(2)相关分析表明:GDM孕妇的血清内脂素、抵抗素均与胰岛素抵抗指数(IRI)呈显著正相关(r=0.568,0.618,P=0.000),而内脂素与抵抗素之间亦呈密切正相关(r=0.919,P=0.000)。结论 (1)GDM孕妇的血清内脂素、抵抗素水平较正常孕妇明显增高。(2)内脂素、抵抗素均与胰岛素抵抗呈正相关。(3)血清内脂素、抵抗素水平增高以及二者对胰岛素敏感性调节所产生的综合效应是诱导妊娠期糖尿病发生或促进其发展的重要因素。     

瘦素、抵抗素、2型糖尿病间的相关性研究

目的：研究血浆瘦素与抵抗素、体重指数、腰围、腰臀比、血脂、胰岛素敏感性指数等的关系。方法：对43例新诊断2型糖尿病患者及37例糖耐量正常者，测定空腹血浆瘦素、胰岛素、血糖、血脂及抵抗素浓度。结果：相关分析显示性别、体重指数（BMI）、腰围、腰臀比、胰岛素与瘦素呈显著正相关（r分别为0.623,0.534，0.516，0.302，0.354，均P<0.01），IAI与瘦素呈显著负相关(r=-0.373,P<0.01),甘油三酯、胆固醇空腹血糖与瘦素无明显相关。瘦素与抵抗素无相关性（r=0.101,P>0.05）结论：空腹血浆瘦素水平与肥胖程度、胰岛素抵抗呈显著正相关，与抵抗素无关。瘦素可能与2型糖尿病的发病有关。     

移植途径对人脐带间充质干细胞治疗小鼠糖尿病效果的影响

目的:观察不同途径移植人脐带间充质干细胞(hUCMSCs)对小鼠糖尿病的治疗效果。方法:利用增强绿色荧光蛋白和萤光素酶报告系统(EGFP/Luc)标记hUCMSCs,通过胰腺包膜下途径或尾静脉途径将携带萤光标记的hUCMSCs移植到链脲霉素诱导的糖尿病模型小鼠体内。移植后利用萤光素酶报告基因追踪hUCMSCs在活体内的迁移和定位;组织学检测小鼠胰岛形态变化;功能学实验动态检测小鼠血糖、血清胰岛素水平和糖耐量。结果:活体生物发光成像显示胰腺包膜下途径移植的hUCMSCs主要定位于胰腺,尾静脉途径移植的hUCMSCs主要定位于肺,仅少量细胞向胰腺部位迁移。组织学检测发现,胰腺包膜下途径移植的小鼠胰岛边界清晰,无炎症细胞浸润;而尾静脉途径移植的小鼠胰腺组织有少量炎症细胞浸润和纤维化形成。功能学检测发现胰腺包膜下移植较尾静脉移植降低小鼠血糖作用显著,血糖可降至接近正常水平,且血清胰岛素水平明显升高,葡萄糖的调节能力显著增强。结论:移植途径对hUCMSCs治疗糖尿病的效果有影响。胰腺包膜下移植在降低小鼠血糖、升高胰岛素水平及改善胰岛功能方面均优于尾静脉移植。     

高脂饲养致小鼠胰岛素抵抗对脂肪肝形成的影响

目的:探讨高脂饲养致小鼠脂肪肝形成的机制。方法:随机将8周雄性C57BL/6J小鼠分成高脂饲养组(给予含60%卡路里的高饱和脂肪酸饲养)和正常对照组,饲养12周。监测体重、肝重、血甘油三酯、血总胆固醇、血糖和血胰岛素水平,通过高胰岛素正葡萄糖钳夹实验反映胰岛素敏感性,HE染色、苏丹IV染色及肝脂含量反映肝组织脂质沉积情况,确定高脂饲养致小鼠脂肪肝的形成。通过Western blot法检测磷酸化胰岛素受体底物1(IRS1)和蛋白激酶B(Akt)水平反映胰岛素信号通路激活情况,检测固醇调节元件结合蛋白1(SREBP-1)和脂肪酸合成酶(FAS)蛋白水平反映肝内脂质合成的情况。结果:高脂饲养组小鼠体重及肝重较正常对照组小鼠明显增加。与正常对照组相比,高脂组血和肝组织内甘油三酯和总胆固醇含量显著升高,血清胰岛素水平升高,葡萄糖输注率减少,磷酸化IRS1和Akt水平降低。肝组织HE染色可见高脂组肝细胞胞浆内充满大量脂肪空泡,苏丹IV染色可见肝细胞内存在大量大小不一的红色脂滴;SREBP-1和FAS蛋白水平明显升高。给予外源性油酸干预原代正常肝细胞48 h,磷酸化IRS1和Akt水平呈浓度依赖性减低,而SREBP-1和FAS蛋白表达明显升高。结论:高脂饲养导致小鼠肝脏发生胰岛素抵抗,并通过激活SREBP-FAS脂肪合成途径,促进肝脏脂质沉积,从而诱发脂肪肝。     

Leptin, soluble leptin receptor, adiponectin and resistin in relation to OGTT in overweight/obese postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: In obese postmenopausal women with normal glucose metabolism (NGT) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) we assessed serum leptin, adiponectin, resistin, soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R) during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in order to investigate their response to acute changes in glucose and insulin in the abnormal glucose metabolism, as it is early detected by IGT. METHODS: Thirty in total, overweight/obese postmenopausal women, were included in the study: 15 with NGT and 15 with IGT as it was diagnosed by OGTT. Serum glucose and insulin levels were measured at 30 min intervals, leptin, sOB-R, adiponectin and resistin at 60 min intervals during the 120 min OGTT. RESULTS: In fasting state, leptin, adiponectin, resistin and sOB-R levels did not differ between the two groups. In women with NGT, leptin was positively correlated with BMI, insulin and HOMA, and negatively correlated with QUICKI and with sOB-R; adiponectin was negatively correlated with insulin and HOMA and positively correlated with QUICKI. In women with IGT, resistin was positively correlated with BMI and waist circumference. In both groups, sOB-R was negatively correlated with insulin. During OGTT, in both groups, leptin concentration increased significantly and fasting glucose predicts significantly serum leptin change; there was no change in adiponectin, resistin and sOB-R concentrations. CONCLUSION: In overweight/obese postmenopausal women fat distribution does not affect leptin and adiponectin production. Abnormal glucose metabolism is not accompanied by disturbance in adipokines production. Leptin secretion is acutely regulated by glucose levels in insulin presence.     

Oxidative stress contributes to abnormal glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in two hyperlipidemia models

Objective: Lipid metabolism disturbance can result in insulin resistance and glucose intolerance; however, the features of glucose metabolism are still elusive in different dyslipidemia. Our study intended to explore the characteristics and molecular mechanisms of glucose metabolism abnormal in hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia models. Methods: Two mouse models were used in this study, one was lipoprotein lipase gene-deleted (LPL^+/-) mice, and the other was high fat dietary (HFD) mice. Levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterin (HDL-c) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterin (LDL-c) in serum were measured by full-automatic biochemical analyzer. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) was performed to evaluate insulin sensitivity and β-cell function. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) levels in serum were measured by colorimetric determination. mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2a) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) in liver, skeletal muscle, visceral fat and subcutaneous fat were measured by Real-Time PCR. Results: Compared with HFD mice, the levels of serum TG were significantly higher in LPL^+/- mice, whereas the levels of TC, HDL-c, LDL-c were significantly lower. The plasma glucose levels were increased at each time point of intra-peritoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) in both groups. Furthermore, the level of serum fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment index-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) increased with a decreased ISI in both groups. In addition, the plasma MDA of HFD group was higher than that of lipoprotein lipase-deficiency (LPL^+/-) group, while the activity of T-SOD in HFD group was lower than that in LPL^+/- group. Real-Time PCR revealed that the expressions of SOD1, CAT and Gpx1 in liver and subcutaneous fat were lower in HFD group than those in LPL^+/- group, but higher in skeletal muscle and visceral fat. Conclusions: There are different in glucose metabolism between high TG mice and high TC mice. Impaired insulin sensitivity is more serious in HFD mice than that in LPL^+/- mice. Oxidative stress could contribute to insulin resistance in hyperlipidemia mice.     

Serum and follicular resistin levels in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome during IVF-stimulated cycles

BACKGROUND: Resistin is a hormone linking obesity and insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to compare resistin levels in serum or follicular fluid from women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and controls, both of whom were undergoing IVF. METHODS: We compared serum and follicular resistin levels in 21 PCOS women and in 18 healthy, normal ovulation, age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched non-PCOS women undergoing IVF. Correlations between serum or follicular fluid resistin levels and reproductive outcome were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in either serum or follicular resistin levels between the control group and the PCOS group as a whole or those with insulin resistance [homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index applied to oral glucose tolerance test (HOMA(OGTT)) <4.7]. However, resistin levels in follicular fluid were unexpectedly significantly lower than serum levels (P<0.0001) in both the PCOS and control groups. No significant correlation was found between resistin levels and BMI, estradiol, LH, or fasting or 2 h glucose or insulin levels or between follicular resistin levels and fertilization rate, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, or early miscarriage rate in PCOS. CONCLUSION: Resistin is unlikely to be a major determining factor in the growth and maturation of oocytes during IVF-stimulated cycles in PCOS.     

Increased glucose tolerance in N-type Ca2+ channel alpha(1B)-subunit gene-deficient mice

The voltage-dependent N-type Ca2+ channel is localized in the plasma membrane of insulin-releasing beta-cells and glucagon-releasing alpha-cells in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. To examine the contribution of N-type Ca2+ channel to glucose homeostasis, we performed glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance tests with N-type Ca2+ channel alpha(1B)-subunit-deficient mice on a normal or high-fat diet. The fasting glucose level in homozygous mice on the normal diet was significantly lower than those in wild and heterozygous mice. In glucose tolerance tests, the homozygous mice showed a higher glucose clearance rate and a similar pattern of insulin levels to those of wild and heterozygous mice. In insulin tolerance tests, glucose clearance rates showed no significant difference among wild, heterozygous and homozygous mice. In animals on the high-fat diet, food consumption was the same among wild, heterozygous and homozygous mice, but body weight gain was reduced in homozygous mice. After 8 weeks of the high-fat diet, homozygous mice showed lower fasting glucose levels and exhibited higher glucose clearance and lower insulin levels than wild or heterozygous mice in glucose tolerance tests. Glucose clearance rates showed no significant difference among wild, heterozygous and homozygous mice in insulin tolerance tests. After 10 weeks of the high-fat diet, the alpha(1B)-deficient homozygous mice showed lower lipid deposition in liver and lower plasma glucagon, leptin and triglyceride levels than wild or heterozygous mice. These results suggest that N-type Ca2+ channels play a role in insulin and glucagon release, and that N-type Ca2+ channel alpha(1B)-subunit deficient mice show improved glucose tolerance without any change in insulin sensitivity. Thus, N-type Ca2+ channel blockers might be candidate anti-diabetic/anti-obesity agents.     

Maternal inheritance of severe hypertriglyceridemia impairs glucose metabolism in offspring

Maternally inherited familial hypercholesterolemia(FH) impairs glucose metabolism and increases cardiovascular risks in the offspring to a greater degree than paternal inherited FH.However,it remains unknown whether hypertriglyceridemia affects glucose metabolism via inheritance.In this study,we sought to compare the impact of maternally and paternally inherited hypertriglyceridemia on glucose and lipid metabolism in mice.Apo CIII transgenic mice with severe hypertriglyceridemia were mated with non-transgenic control mice to obtain 4 types of offspring:maternal non-transgenic control and maternal transgenic offspring,and paternal control and paternal transgenic offspring.Plasma triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),fasting plasma glucose(FPG) and fasting insulin(FINS) were measured.Apo CIII overexpression caused severe hypertriglyceridemia,but the transgenic female mice had unaltered fertility with normal pregnancy and birth of pups.The 4 groups of offspring had similar birth weight and growth rate.The plasma TG of maternal and paternal transgenic offspring were nearly 40-fold higher than maternal and paternal control mice,but there was no difference in plasma TG between maternal and paternal transgenic offspring.Although the FPG of the 4 groups of animals had no difference,the maternal transgenic mice showed impaired glucose tolerance,increased FINS levels and higher homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR) than the other 3 groups.In conclusion,maternally inherited hypertriglyceridemia in Apo CIII transgenic mice displayed impaired glucose tolerance,hyperinsulinemia and increased HOMA-R,while paternally inherited hypertriglyceridemia did not have such impacts.     

Enhanced insulin secretion and glucose tolerance in rats exhibiting low plasma free fatty acid levels and hypertriglyceridaemia due to congenital albumin deficiency

Congenitally analbuminaemic individuals and rats (NARs) exhibit several metabolic abnormalities, including hypertriglyceridaemia and plasma free fatty acid deficiency. Our aim was to study glucose homeostasis and insulin secretion in NARs. Plasma concentrations of lipids, glucose and insulin and secretion of insulin from the pancreatic islets were measured in female NARs and control animals (Sprague-Dawley rats; SDRs). Glucose homeostasis tests were also performed. Plasma glucose levels were similar between NARs and SDRs, irrespective of feeding status. However, fed insulinaemia was ～37% higher (P 0.05) in NARs than in SDRs. The NARs displayed a markedly increased glucose tolerance, i.e. the integrated glycaemic response was one-third that of the control animals. Enhanced glucose tolerance was associated with threefold higher insulinaemia at peak glycaemia after a glucose load than in the control animals. Similar peripheral insulin sensitivity was observed between groups. Isolated pancreatic islets from NARs secreted significantly more insulin than islets from SDRs in response to a wide range of glucose concentrations (2.8-33.3 mm). Despite having similar liver glycogen contents in the fully fed state, NARs had ～40% (P 0.05) lower glycogen contents than SDRs after 6 h fasting. The injection of a gluconeogenic substrate, pyruvate, elicited a faster rise in glycaemia in NARs compared with SDRs. Overall, NARs displayed enhanced glucose tolerance, insulin secretion and gluconeogenic flux. The higher glucose tolerance in NARs compared with SDRs is attributed to enhanced islet responsiveness to secretagogues, while peripheral insulin sensitivity seems not to be involved in this alteration. We propose that the enhanced glucose metabolism is a chronic compensatory adaptation to decreased free fatty acid availability in NARs.     

Glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk factors in first degree relatives of women with polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate insulin resistance (IR), glucose tolerance status and cardiovascular risk factors in first degree relatives of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: A total of 120 family members [Mothers(PCOS) (n = 40), Fathers(PCOS) (n = 38), Sisters(PCOS) (n = 25) and Brothers(PCOS) (n = 17)] of 55 patients with PCOS and 75 unrelated healthy control subjects without a family history of diabetes or PCOS (four age- and weight-matched subgroups, i.e. Control(Mothers), Control(Fathers), Control(Sisters) and Control(Brothers)) were studied. IR was assessed by homeostatic model assessment (HOMA IR), log HOMA, insulin sensivity index (ISI), the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and area under the curve for insulin during the oral glucose tolerance test (AUCI, AUCG) in with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) subjects and controls. Serum adiponectin, resistin, homocysteine and lipid levels were measured. RESULTS: The prevalence of any degree of glucose intolerance was 40% in Mothers(PCOS) and 52% in Fathers(PCOS). In total, six (15%) glucose tolerance disorders were identified in the Control(Mothers) and Control(Fathers) in first degree relatives of control subjects. The first degree relatives of PCOS patients had significantly higher serum fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, Log HOMA and AUCI levels in all subgroups than the control subjects. The control subjects had significantly elevated QUCKI, ISI levels and serum adiponectin levels compared to the first degree relatives of PCOS subjects in all subgroups. The serum Hcy and resistin levels increased significantly in both Fathers(PCOS) and Mothers(PCOS) groups but not Brothers(PCOS) and Sister(PCOS). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study support the finding that the first degree relatives of PCOS patients carry an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, as do PCOS patients.