PhD defence: Insulin sensitivity in lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the effect of exercise training

Physiological and molecular perspectives

Solvejg Lis Hansen

PhD thesis

This PhD thesis evaluates the underlying mechanism in the blood stream and in skeletal muscle contributing to insulin resistance in lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Furthermore, the effect of 14 weeks exercise training with body weight maintenance on insulin sensitivity and other health parameters was investigated.

In study 1, whole body insulin resistance in lean women with PCOS was associated with abnormalities in skeletal muscle metabolism which point to skeletal muscle as an important regulator of whole body insulin sensitivity in these women.

In study 2, exercise training did not improve insulin sensitivity lean women with PCOS, which may be related to lack of key training adaptations in skeletal muscle. However, several other beneficial effects of training were observed.

2018, 154 pages.

Time

1 June 2018, 14:00

Place

Aud. 1, August Krogh Building, Universitetsparken 13, 2100 Copenhagen

Opponents

Associate professor Nikolai Nordsborg (chair), Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Professor Nigel Stepto,College of Sport and Exercise Science, Victoria University, Australia.

Professor Cedric Moro, INSERM, University of Toulouse, France.

Supervisor

Professor Bente Kiens, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.