Association of serum pigment epithelium-derived factor with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

The basic studies showed that Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) plays an important role in inflammation. This study aims to investigate the association of serum PEDF with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Ninety-six PCOS women and 63 healthy, age-matched controls were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of PEDF, hs-CRP, Complement C3 (C3), glucose, insulin, lipids, and total testosterone were measured. Ninety-six PCOS women and 20 controls underwent hyperinsulinemiceuglycemic clamp to assess their insulin sensitivity, which was expressed as M value. Serum PEDF levels and hs- CRP levels were much higher in PCOS women than in controls. In PCOS women, PEDF positively correlated with body mass index (BMI), hs-CRP, C3, LDL cholesterol (LDL-c), and systolic blood pressure (SBP), and negatively correlated with M value and HDL cholesterol (HDL-c). After controlling for BMI, PEDF was still positively correlated with hs-CRP. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that in PCOS women, hs-CRP, SBP, LDL-c and M value were independent determinants of serum PEDF. The serum PEDF levels are closely associated with hs-CRP in women with PCOS. PEDF may play a role in the development of chronic inflammation in PCOS.