Objective
To determine serum vascular endothelial growth factor B (VEGF‐B) levels in polycystic ovary syndrome, their association with insulin resistance and β‐cell dysfunction, and the effect of metformin on serum VEGF‐B levels.
Design
A cross‐sectional, interventional study.
Patients
We recruited 103 women with polycystic ovary syndrome and 96 age‐matched healthy controls. Serum VEGF‐B levels were determined in all participants, and 44 polycystic ovary syndrome patients randomly received metformin.
Measurements
We measured VEGF‐B levels in healthy controls and women with polycystic ovary syndrome before and after metformin treatment.
Results
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome had higher serum VEGF‐B levels, which decreased with metformin treatment. In the lean and overweight/obese groups, patients with polycystic ovary syndrome had higher plasma VEGF‐B levels than did healthy controls (P < 0·05). VEGF‐B levels were correlated with body mass index, body fat percentage, M values, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and β‐cell function indices. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that VEGF‐B level was associated with M values after adjusting for age, body mass index, serum sex hormones and serum lipids in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Conclusions
Serum VEGF‐B is significantly higher in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and is closely and positively related to insulin resistance. Metformin treatment reduces VEGF‐B levels and ameliorates insulin resistance.