Risk factors in obese women, with particular reference to visceral fat component.

Possible associations between increased visceral fat component and serum lipid concentrations, glucose tolerance and insulinaemia (specific radioimmunoassay) were studied as risk factors for cardiovascular disease in 50 adult obese women without known diabetes and 11 lean normal women. Visceral abdominal fat areas were evaluated by computed tomography and "true" insulin concentrations. Diabetes was observed in 6 obese women (12%) and impaired glucose tolerance in 13 (26%).

The effects of spironolactone on testosterone fractions and sex-hormone binding globulin binding capacity in hirsute women.

This study explored the effect of the anti-androgen spironolactone on sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and the distribution of circulating testosterone (T) into various free and bound fractions in seven women with hirsutism assessed before and then monthly for three months on a regimen of spironolactone, 100 mg bid as the sole therapeutic agent. Blood samples were taken at each assessment time for a battery of androgen parameters and serum T fractions studies. None of the women were judged obese based upon body mass index values.

Serum testosterone fractions in women: normal and abnormal clinical states.

The potential usefulness of determining serum testosterone (T) fractions in women, ie, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)-bound T, albumin-bound T (Alb-T), and free T (FT) fractions, was explored in a variety of clinical situations. Serum T, SHBG, and albumin concentrations were measured by standardized methods and using binding constants of T to SHBG and albumin, we calculated serum T fractions, which agreed remarkably with measured values of SHBG-T and nonbound T. Serum T levels did not change in normal women examined during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle, but SHBG levels were elevated in the luteal phase, changing the distribution of T, with increased SHBG-T and less T distributed to other fractions.

Treatment of hirsutism in women with flutamide.

Objective: To explore the clinical usefulness of the antiandrogen flutamide in the treatment modality for hirsutism in women.

Design: Nine women with hirsutism were assessed before and then monthly for 3 months on a regimen of flutamide 250 mg three times a day as the sole therapeutic agent. Blood samples were taken at each assessment time for a battery of androgenic parameters.

Monthly cyproterone acetate in the treatment of hirsute women: clinical and laboratory effects.

Cyproterone acetate given as a single intramuscular dose of 300 mg monthly for 6 months resulted in significant reduction of hirsutism without appreciable side effects. This regimen resulted in decreased levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol in the eight women studied. No significant changes were observed in total serum testosterone (T) levels, however, there was a reduction in sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), resulting in lowered SHBG-bound T, and an increase in non-SHBG-T over this time.