Effect of Free Fatty Acids (FFA) on Androgen Precursors in Women

Effect of Free Fatty Acids on Androgen Precursors in Vivo in Healthy Young Women

The purpose of this study is to determine whether free fatty acids modify the androgen levels in healthy young women.

Free fatty acids (FFA) are known to play an important role by inducing insulin resistance and metabolic disturbances in obesity and type 2 diabetes. In addition, FFAs seems to have a stimulatory effect on adrenal androgen precursors in men. However, the effect of FFAs on androgen precursors and androgens in women is yet unknown.

Therefore the effect of increased FFAs on adrenal androgens and androgen precursors should be investigated in a randomized controlled cross-over trial.

Inclusion Criteria:

• healthy men and women

Exclusion Criteria:

• diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance
• clinical signs of hyperandrogenism
• polycystic ovary
• hormonal therapy
• BMI > 30 kg/m2
• dysmenorrhoea