The Current and Emerging Role of Statins in the Treatment of PCOS: The Evidence to Date

• Published in: Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Vol. 60; no. 2; p. 244
• Main Authors: Kolnikaj, Tea Shehu, Herman, Rok, Janež, Andrej, Jensterle, Mojca
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01-01-2024
• Subjects: Acne; Adrenal glands; Alopecia; Androgens; Baldness; Cardiovascular disease; Care and treatment; Cholesterol; Dehydrogenases; Development and progression; Diabetes; dyslipidemia; Dyslipidemias - complications; Dyslipidemias - drug therapy; Enzymes; Female; Follicles; Gastrointestinal surgery; Genotype & phenotype; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors - therapeutic use; hyperandrogenemia; Hyperandrogenism - complications; Hyperandrogenism - drug therapy; Insulin Resistance; Insulin-like growth factors; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Metabolic disorders; Metabolism; Ovaries; Pathogenesis; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - complications; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - drug therapy; Statins; Stein-Leventhal syndrome; steroidogenesis; Testosterone; Type 2 diabetes; Weight control; steroidogenesis; dyslipidemia; hyperandrogenemia; statins; polycystic ovary syndrome
• ISSN: 1648-9144; 1010-660X; 1648-9144
• DOI: 10.3390/medicina60020244

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) manifests a multifactorial pathology characterized by polycystic ovaries, menstrual cycle disorders, varying degrees of hyperandrogenism, and an ad-verse metabolic risk profile. The position of hyperandrogenism in this syndrome has been extensively studied. A multitude of mechanisms place it in the position of cause but also of consequence; therefore, ongoing research efforts are focused on identifying medications that can effectively reduce levels of androgens in women with PCOS. Moreover, lipid abnormalities are common in this population, with up to 70% of patients having dyslipidemia. Statins may have potential therapeutic benefits for women with PCOS, as they have been shown to improve insulin resistance and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, their role in accelerated steroidogenesis by limiting one source of cholesterol, influencing enzymatic activity, and providing several other beneficial mechanisms is widely investigated. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the pathogenesis of androgen excess and dyslipidemia in PCOS, as well as the therapeutic potential of statins.