Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Contrary to the high prevalence of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) amongst reproductive age group women, there is disproportionate uncertainity over its etiopathogenesis. Substantial evidence suggests immunological-inflammatory role in causing this endocrine disorder. In this context, we set out study the role of inflammatory biomarkers in PCOS.

Material and methods: This prospective case-control study was conducted on PCOS patients diagnosed based on Rotterdam criteria). Institutional ethical committee approval was obtained. Exclusion criteria were women with galactorhea, hyperthyroidism, any systemic disease that affects their reproductive physiology, or any medication which interferes with the normal function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Serum samples were collected from 150 PCOS women and 150 age matched healthy controls. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and high sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were measured in all serum samples. Statistical analysis was performed by one way ANOVA with Dunnet’s test and Pearson correlation tests.

Results: The mean hSCRP levels was higher in 34% of PCOS woman and its level were 7.9±0.05, 9.9±0.04, 9.9±0.6 and 12.3±0.7 among PCOS (normal weight, obese and over weight) and control subjects respectively. 32% of PCOS women showed raised TNF-α levels and its mean were 159.3±21.3, 302.0±28.9, 202.7±42.5 and 120.0±14.7 among the PCOS (normal weight, obese and overweight) and controls respectively. There was no significant difference among the normal as well as the overweight patients (P value >0.05), while the levels differed significantly between obese PCOS and controls (P value <0.05). The IL-6 levels were considerably increased in all the PCOS cases, with the highest in over weight PCOS women. The IL 6 levels differed significantly between the groups (P value <0.05).

Conclusions: This study shows that there is notable association between inflammatory markers – IL-6, TNF-α and hsCRP with obese PCOS. Intermarker correlation shows positive link between hsCRP and IL-6. The biomarkers appears to predict the metabolic dysfunction in asymptomatic women.

Keywords: Polycystic ovarian disease, Tumour necrosis factor, Interleukin-6, Metabolic dysfunction, Obesity