11OXO PCOS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of 11-oxygenated androgens in androgen excess and metabolic dysfunction of women with polycystic ovary syndrome
IRAS ID
221491
Contact name
Wiebke Arlt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
ERN_19-0210, UoB RSG REC reference number
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects 10% of all women and it usually co-exists with high levels of male hormones (also termed androgens) and poor response to sugar-regulating hormones (also termed insulin resistance). Women with PCOS are at increased risk of metabolic complications such as diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, high blood pressure and heart disease. However, very little is understood about how androgen excess and insulin resistance are linked and which patients have the highest risk to develop metabolic complications during the course of their life.
In addition to classic androgens such as testosterone, researchers from our group and others have highlighted the importance of a new set of androgens called 11-oxygenated androgens in PCOS. 11-oxygenated androgens make up the majority of circulating androgens in PCOS, and recent data from our group suggests that fat (or adipose) tissue is a major site of production of these hormones.
The main aim of the 11-OXO-PCOS study is to understand better how adipose tissue functions as an organ of androgen generation, and how fat cells break down or metabolise these hormones. The results of this research will help to better understand the association between androgens, adipose tissue and risk of metabolic disease in women with PCOS, and to identify new potential targets for future drug therapy to treat this condition.
16 women with PCOS and obesity and 16 age and BMI matched healthy participants will undergo various blood, urine and saliva tests pre- and post-intervention in the form of one-off drug and high-fat food in the study. The results of this research will help to better understand the association between androgens, adipose tissue and risk of metabolic disease in women with PCOS, and to identify new potential targets for future drug therapy to treat this condition.REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/WM/0183
Date of REC Opinion
28 Aug 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion