Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism, oligo-anovulation and/or polycystic ovary. Hypotheses such as genetic and environmental causes, disruption of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia and increased oxidative stress have been proposed to explain the etiopathogenesis of PCOS. In our study, we aimed to evaluate oxidative stress parameters and serum fetuin-A levels and to investigate their role in PCOS.

Materials and Methods: 32 PCOS patients aged 18-40 years and 25 women without any known systemic disease were included in the study. After their systemic examination, body weights and heights were measured. In the first 3 days of their menstruation, following 8-10 h of fasting, a morning blood sample is taken and hormone profile (FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA-S, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, TSH, fT4), lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, TG), fasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin, liver and kidney function tests were studied. To investigate the role of oxidative stress in PCOS, the levels of oxidant substances Malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxynonenal (4HNE), peroxynitrite and Nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NRF2), which is considered as an indicator of the antioxidant system, were measured. Serum Fetuin-A levels were measured.

Results: It was shown that there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of mean age, height, weight and body mass index. Insulin, fasting glucose, HbA1c levels and HOMA-IR values were found to be significantly higher in the PCOS group (P=0.001, P=0.001, P=0.001, P=0.034, respectively). Fetuin-A level did not differ significantly in both groups (P=0.342). Total cholesterol, HDL and triglyceride levels were found to be significantly higher in the PCOS group (P=0.001, P=0.004, P=0.001, respectively). MDA and 4HNE levels were found to be significantly higher in the PCOS group (P=0.001, P=0.001, respectively). Peroxynitrite levels were higher in all patients in the PCOS group, but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (P=0.546). NRF2 levels was found to be significantly lower in the PCOS group (P=0.018).

Conclusion: In our study, PCOS was found to be associated with insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. This may pose a risk factor for metabolic complications and cardiovascular diseases. The fact that there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of fetuin-A levels indicates that additional studies are needed on the relationship between fetuin-A and insulin resistance. The fact that oxidative stress markers are high and antioxidant metabolites are low in PCOS patients may contribute to the determination of new strategies in the follow-up and treatment of long-term metabolic complications of this syndrome.