Effect of hypertension therapy with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril on hyperandrogenism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: To investigate the effect of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, lisinopril, on serum androgen and sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels in hypertensive women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Design: Prospective, observational study. Setting: Infertility Clinic of the Sani Konukoglu Hospital, Gaziantep, Turkey. Patient(s): Ten hypertensive women with PCOS. Intervention(s): Lisinopiril, 10 mg/day, for 4 weeks. Main Outcome Measure(s): Serum levels of gonadotropins, DHEAS, total T, free T, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), androstenedione, E2, SHBG, TSH, and PRL were determined. Result(s): Hypertension treatment with lisinopril ( 10 mg/day for 4 weeks) resulted in a statistically significant decrease in serum free T levels. However, there was no difference in the SHBG levels. Conclusion(s): Use of lisinopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, results in decreased free T levels independently of SHBG. It may affect the free T levels by affecting the ovarian renin-angiotensin system. (Fertil Sterils((R)) 2002:77:526-8. (C) 2002 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine).