Role of insulin and insulin resistance in androgen excess disorders

Insulin has complex effects on cell growth, metabolism and differentiation, and these effects are mediated by a cell-surface bound receptor and eventually a cascade of intracellular signaling events. Among the several metabolic and growth-promoting effects of insulin, insulin resistance is defined as an attenuated effect of insulin on glucose metabolism, primarily the limited export of blood glucose into skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. On the other hand, not all the signaling pathways and insulin-responsive tissues are equally affected, and some effects other than the metabolic actions of insulin are overexpressed. Ovaries and the adrenal glands are two examples of tissues remaining sensitive to insulin actions where insulin may contribute to increased androgen secretion. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common form of androgen excess disorder (AED), and its pathogenesis is closely associated with insulin resistance. Patients with idiopathic hirsutism also exhibit insulin resistance, albeit lower than patients with PCOS. Although it is not as evident as in PCOS, patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia may have insulin resistance, which may be further exacerbated with glucocorticoid overtreatment and obesity. Among patients with severe insulin resistance syndromes, irrespective of the type of disease, hyperinsulinemia promotes ovarian androgen synthesis independently of gonadotropins. It is highly debated in whom and how insulin resistance should be diagnosed and treated among patients with AEDs, including PCOS. It is not suitable to administer an insulin sensitizer relying on only some mathematical models used for estimating insulin resistance. Instead, the treatment decision should be based on the constellation of the signs, symptoms and presence of obesity; acanthosis nigricans; and some laboratory abnormalities such as impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose.