Changes of biochemical parameters in normal weight and overweight/obese women with polycystic ovary Syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disease in reproductiveage women, which interferes with fertility, menstruation, and body composition. Some biochemical parameters change in women with PCOS, a feature which can be a consequence of the disease itself or of the accompanying obesity. This study investigated the glucose and lipid profiles, sex hormones, and hsCRP in normal weight and overweight/ obese Iranian women with and without PCOS.
 Methods: 314 women with PCOS and 138 healthy and fertile women were recruited for the study. The patients and controls were divided according to body mass index (BMI) into two groups as follows: BMI<25 Kg/m2 and BMI≥ 25 Kg/m2 . Blood samples were collected from all participants to assess fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, lipid profile, FSH, LH, free testosterone, and hs-CRP levels. The homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated for assessing insulin sensitivity.
 Results: BMI, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, triglyceride, FT, LH, and hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in the PCOS group, while lower levels of FSH were observed in comparison to non-PCOS women. Among overweight PCOS women, hs-CRP levels were significantly elevated compared to normal-weight PCOS women. However, there was no significant difference in circulating hs-CRP levels between normal-weight and overweight participants in the control group.
 Conclusion: The study results suggest that both insulin resistance and an increase in hs-CRP may be relevant to PCOS. Moreover, the findings indicated that chronic inflammation in PCOS is not solely dependent on the pathogenesis of the disease but may be exacerbated by increased body weight.