Endocrine Abstracts

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most frequently encountered endocrine pathologies in women of reproductive age, being regarded as a chronic systemic disease instead of the simple local one. It is frequently associated with insulin resistance, hyperandrogenemia and chronic inflammation. PCOS reunites multiple and diversified pathological combinations like: ovulatory functional disorders directly impacting on the reproductive system, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disorders which can be explained at least partially through an increased oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs due to an imbalance between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidant defense systems. In women, oxidative stress may be a major cause of infertility. In this clinical study, comprising 55 PCOS patients and age-matched healthy subjects, we aimed to assess the relationship among different metabolic risk factors, such as triglycerides, cholesterol and glycaemia, and the reactive oxygen species levels in patients diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. For an accurate determination of the biochemical markers, diagnostic kits (Dialab, Austria) have been used, whereas for the determination of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration, the chemiluminescent method was chosen. The triglycerides, glycaemia and cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the group of patients compared with the control group (P<0.05), suggesting a considerable imbalance in patients with polycystic ovary. The serum concentration of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) represents a marker of the global oxidative stress. The experimental results obtained following the assessment of the ROS concentration revealed a significantly higher value in the patient group with polycystic ovary as compared to the control group, which translates into an enhanced oxidative stress in patients diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. Correcting oxidative stress with antioxidants along with monitoring the antioxidant status could have a beneficial effect on oxidative stress induced insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism in the PCOS diagnosed women.