Postprandial ghrelin, cholecystokinin, peptide YY, and appetite before and after weight loss in overweight women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition associated with obesity and with reproductive and metabolic dysfunction. Abnormalities in appetite regulation in PCOS patients may contribute to difficulties in weight management.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine appetite, appetite hormones, and ad libitum food consumption before and after weight loss in overweight women with and without PCOS.

DESIGN: Overweight age- and weight-matched women with (n = 14) and without (n = 14) PCOS undertook an 8-wk energy-restricted diet (5185.3 +/- 141.6 kJ/d). At baseline and study end, subjects consumed a test meal (936 kJ; 25% of energy from protein, 9% from fat, and 67% from carbohydrate). Subjective appetite and circulating glucose, insulin, ghrelin, cholecystokinin, and peptide YY were assessed at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, and 180 min. A mixed buffet lunch was then offered to assess ad libitum food intake.

RESULTS: Weight loss (4.2 +/- 3.9 kg) did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Women with PCOS had significantly (P = 0.023) lower ghrelin concentrations before and after weight loss than did women without PCOS. The degree of postprandial ghrelin suppression was lower at weeks 0 (P = 0.048) and 8 (P = 0.069) in women with PCOS than in women without PCOS. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in appetite responses, buffet consumption, or fasting or postprandial peptide YY and cholecystokinin before or after weight loss.

CONCLUSIONS: PCOS was associated with lower fasting ghrelin and a smaller postprandial ghrelin suppression both before and after weight loss but was not associated with other postprandial gut peptides, subjective satiety, or food intake. It is not clear whether appetite regulation is impaired in PCOS.