REFUEL PCOS Study 1

To delineate the relationship between androgen excess and skeletal muscle energy metabolism in women

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects 10% of all women, and it usually co-exists with high
 levels of male pattern hormones (also termed androgens). Women with PCOS are at increased
 risk of metabolic complications such as diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, high
 blood pressure and heart disease. However, very little is understood about how androgen
 excess results in increased metabolic complications observed in women with PCOS.
 
 The main aims of the REFUEL PCOS study are to compare markers of energy metabolism in women
 with PCOS to those without PCOS. This will allow us to better understand metabolic risk by
 examining the relationship between androgen excess and energy metabolism. Skeletal muscle is
 an important site of energy metabolism, and emerging theories are that androgen excess
 impairs skeletal muscle energy balance and increases the risk of complications. Based on
 these emerging theories, we want to investigate the effects of androgens on muscle energy
 metabolism. We will also examine whether certain blood and urine result patterns can help
 identify differences in muscles energy metabolism and which women are at the highest risk of
 metabolic complications. This research will give insight into the metabolic risk associated
 with PCOS and treat and, where possible, prevent the development of metabolic disease in
 affected women.