Changes of plasma renin activity and angiotensin II levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: To investigate changes of plasma renin activity(PRA) and plasma angiotensin II (PANG II) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).

Methods: We chose thirty PCOS women as trial group and thirty normal menstrual women as control. PRA and PANG II levels during follicularphase(FP) of the two groups were measured by radioimmunoassay.

Results: PRA and PANG II increased in women with PCOS as compared with the normal FP. The increment of PRA and PANG II in PCOS women of high testosterone levels was correlated with serum luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone concentration.

Conclusions: The elevated PRA and PANG II suggest an enhanced functional activity of ovarian renin angiotensin system in PCOS, and which may play a role in the pathologenesis of PCOS.