Evaluation of inflammatory parameters beneficial in follow-up of PCOS, Study finds

PCOS is a metabolic and endocrine disorder affecting 6-21% of women. In the recent research paper, "Evaluation of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome," the authors examine the relationship between oxidative stress, inflammation, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a prevalent endocrine and metabolic disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance. The study aimed to compare patients with PCOS to healthy volunteers and assess changes in oxidative stress and inflammatory parameters. The authors observed that the prevalence of PCOS is increasing worldwide and is suspected to be closely related to inflammation and oxidative stress.

Measurements and Findings

The study included 30 patients diagnosed with PCOS and 30 healthy volunteers with similar demographic characteristics. The researchers measured clinical parameters using immunoassays and evaluated oxidative stress biomarkers such as total oxidant (TOS), total antioxidant (TAS), total thiol (TT), native thiol (NT) levels, and inflammatory parameters including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). They found that TT and NT levels were lower in patients with PCOS compared to those in the healthy group, while TAS, TOS, OSI, DIS, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were significantly higher in the patients with PCOS. The paper discusses the significance of oxidative stress and inflammation in the context of PCOS and its associated symptoms, including hyperandrogenism, hirsutism, oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, and anovulation. The authors emphasize insulin resistance as a major cause of metabolic disorders and reproductive abnormalities in patients with PCOS. They note that oxidative stress, characterized by an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, is closely associated with PCOS and can lead to cellular damage. In particular, the study revealed elevated levels of oxidant biomarkers and reduced levels of antioxidant biomarkers in patients with PCOS compared to healthy controls.

Relationship with Obesity and Insulin Resistance

Moreover, the authors discuss the interplay between oxidative stress, inflammation, and PCOS, highlighting the association of PCOS with obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. They found that inflammatory biomarkers such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were higher in women with PCOS compared to healthy volunteers, especially in cases of obesity and insulin resistance. However, they acknowledge the limitations of the study, including a small sample size and the lack of data on clinical parameters in the healthy control group.

Implications and Conclusion

In conclusion, the paper emphasizes the importance of evaluating oxidative stress and inflammatory parameters in patients with PCOS. The findings suggest that monitoring these parameters may be beneficial for the disease's diagnosis and management. The authors declare no conflict of interest and obtained ethics committee approval for the study.

Key Points

- The research paper evaluates the relationship between oxidative stress, inflammation, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a prevalent endocrine and metabolic disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance.

- The study includes 30 patients diagnosed with PCOS and 30 healthy volunteers with similar demographic characteristics. Clinical parameters and oxidative stress biomarkers (total oxidant, total antioxidant, total thiol, native thiol levels) and inflammatory parameters (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α) were measured.

- Patients with PCOS exhibited lower total thiol and native thiol levels compared to the healthy group, while total oxidant, total antioxidant, oxidative stress index, oxidative stress index, and inflammatory biomarker levels were significantly higher in the PCOS group.

- The paper highlights the significance of oxidative stress and inflammation in PCOS and its associated symptoms, such as hyperandrogenism, hirsutism, oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, and anovulation. Insulin resistance is emphasized as a major cause of metabolic disorders and reproductive abnormalities in PCOS patients.

- There is a discussion on the interplay between oxidative stress, inflammation, and PCOS, particularly in relation to obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Inflammatory biomarkers were found to be higher in women with PCOS, especially in cases of obesity and insulin resistance.

- The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of evaluating oxidative stress and inflammatory parameters in patients with PCOS for diagnosis and management, and highlights the implications of monitoring these parameters for the disease's diagnosis and management. Ethical approval was obtained for the study, and no conflict of interest was declared by the authors.

Reference –

Sen B, Gonultas S, Albayrak C, Temur S, Acar I, Ozkan BN, Islek HS, Yilmaz MB, Kale E, Guler EM. Evaluation of oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Obstet Gynecol Sci. 2024 Jul;67(4):414-420. doi: 10.5468/ogs.24031. Epub 2024 May 17. PMID: 38757191; PMCID: PMC11266846.