Simvastatin improves biochemical parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: results of a prospective, randomized trial. The effect of atorvastatin in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Comparison of simvastatin and metformin in treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: prospective randomized trial.
To test the hypothesis that statins improve hyperandrogenemia in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
                Prospective, randomized trial.
                Academic medical center.
                Forty-eight women with PCOS.
                Subjects were randomized to a statin group (simvastatin, 20 mg daily plus oral contraceptive pill [OCP]; n = 24) or an OCP group (OCP alone; n = 24).
                Serum T.
                Baseline parameters of both groups were comparable. After 12 weeks of treatment, serum T levels declined by 41% in the statin group and by 14% in the OCP group. In the statin group, there was a greater decrease of LH (43% decrease vs. 9% in the OCP group) and a greater decline of LH/FSH ratio (44% vs. 12%). In the statin group, total cholesterol declined by 10% and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by 24%. In the OCP group, total cholesterol increased by 8%, and LDL was unchanged.
                This is the first study demonstrating that statin decreases T levels and normalizes gonadotropin levels in women with PCOS. Statin therapy might offer a novel approach, providing endocrine and cardiovascular benefits. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity, whereas statins are proven to reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity through lipid-lowering and perhaps through their pleiotropic effects. Statins can also reduce testosterone in vitro by inhibiting ovarian theca-interstitial cell proliferation and steroidogenesis and reducing inflammation in vivo.
                Our objective was to assess the effect of atorvastatin on inflammatory markers, insulin resistance, and biochemical hyperandrogenemia in patients with PCOS.
                We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study at a tertiary care setting in United Kingdom.
                Patients included 40 medication-naive patients with PCOS and biochemical hyperandrogenemia.
                Patients were randomized to either atorvastatin 20 mg daily or placebo.
                The primary endpoint of the study was a change in the inflammatory marker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. The secondary endpoints were a change in insulin resistance and total testosterone. Results: After 12 wk atorvastatin, there was a significant reduction (mean +/- sem) in total cholesterol (4.6 +/- 0.2 vs. 3.4 +/- 0.2 mmol/liter, P < 0.01), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.9 +/- 0.2 vs. 1.8 +/- 0.2 mmol/liter, P < 0.01), triglycerides (1.34 +/- 0.08 vs. 1.08 +/- 0.13 mmol/liter, P <0.01), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (4.9 +/- 1.4 vs. 3.4 +/- 1.1 mg/liter, P = 0.04), free androgen index (13.4 +/- 0.6 vs. 8.7 +/- 0.4, P < 0.01), testosterone (4.1 +/- 0.2 vs. 2.9 +/- 0.1 nmol/liter, P < 0.01) and insulin resistance as measured by homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (3.3 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.7 +/- 0.4). There was a significant increase in SHBG (31.1 +/- 1.0 vs. 35.3 +/- 1.2 nmol/liter, P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between the reduction in HOMA-IR in the atorvastatin group with the reduction in triglycerides and the reduction of free androgen index. There was a significant deterioration of HOMA-IR in the placebo group (3.0 +/- 0.4 vs. 3.8 +/- 0.5).
                This study suggests that atorvastatin is effective in reducing inflammation, biochemical hyperandrogenemia, and metabolic parameters in patients with PCOS after a 12-wk period. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by ovarian dysfunction and hyperandrogenism; it is also associated with increased cardiovascular risks such as adverse lipid profile and endothelial dysfunction. Metformin and, more recently, statins have been shown to improve endocrine and metabolic aspects of PCOS.
                The aim of the study was to compare effects of simvastatin and metformin on PCOS.
                In a prospective trial, women with PCOS (n = 136) were randomized to simvastatin (S), metformin (M), or simvastatin plus metformin (SM) groups. Evaluations were performed at baseline and after 3 months.
                The study was conducted at an academic medical center.
                The change of serum total testosterone was measured.
                The study was completed by 113 subjects. Total testosterone decreased significantly and comparably in all groups: by 17.1, 13.6, and 15.1%, respectively, in the S, M, and SM groups. Significant decreases were also observed in all groups with respect to body mass index, C-reactive protein, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. DHEAS declined significantly only in the S group. None of the treatments were associated with significant changes in LH or FSH. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly declined only in S and SM groups.
                Simvastatin treatment was superior to metformin alone, whereas a combination of simvastatin and metformin was not significantly superior to simvastatin alone.
Although statins improve lipid profiles and reduce testosterone levels in women with PCOS, there is no evidence that statins improve resumption of menstrual regularity or spontaneous ovulation, nor is there any improvement of hirsutism or acne. There is a need for further research to be performed with large sample sizes and well-designed RCTs to assess clinical outcomes.