Insulin sensitivity and sex steroid hormone levels during the menstrual cycle in healthy women with non-insulin-dependent diabetic parents

Abstract

Objective: To identify the effect of the menstrual cycle and sex steroid hormone levels on insulin sensitivity in healthy women with non-insulin-dependent diabetic parents.

Methods: A clinical trial was realized in 6 healthy women with non-insulin-dependent diabetic parents and in 6 control subjects. In both phases of the menstrual cycle the following tests were made: insulin tolerance test, metabolic profile, and sex steroid hormone levels.

Results: Insulin sensitivity was significantly lower in the follicular (p = 0.004) and luteal (p = 0.01) phases of the menstrual cycle in probands compared with controls. In the luteal phase dehydroepiandrosterone was higher in probands than in controls (p = 0.009).

Conclusions: Healthy women with non-insulin-dependent diabetic parents had a lower insulin sensitivity in both phases of the menstrual cycle compared with the control group. Dehydroepiandrosterone was higher in the luteal phase in probands than controls.