Exploring the role of autoantibodies in Iraqi females with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrinopathy that affects 5-10% of women during their reproductive years. Clinicians characterize it by the occurrence of ovarian cysts, oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, and either clinical or biochemical evidence of hyperandrogenism. Recent research suggests a potential link between autoantibodies and PCOS development. Aim of study: This study investigated the relationship between autoantibodies and Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Materials and methods: The study involved a total of 150 female participants diagnosed with PCOS, aged between 20 to 35, and a control group of 150 individuals. We utilized chemiluminescent immunoassays to measure Anti-thyroid antibodies thyroglobulin (TG) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO). We conducted IgM and IgG for anti-cardiolipin (ACL) and β-2 glycoprotein I (B2GPI) using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To measure lupus (La), we employed coagulation time. To assess the serum levels of total antibodies Ig (M, G, A), Serum amyloid A (SAA), High-Sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and Procalcitonin (PCT), we used nephelometry methods. Results: In our findings, patients showed a significantly higher level of TPO autoantibodies (91.9±14.7) compared to the control group (12.4±5.1). This difference was highly significant (<0.001). Similarly, we observed high levels of anti-TG antibodies in patients (50.4±10.3) compared to the control group (30.6±7.2). This points out the important role of both TPO and TG antibodies in this context. Moreover, the level of IgM for ACL was significantly higher in patients (19.2±4.2 AU/dl) than in controls (3.3±1.0 AU/dl). The level of IgG for ACL was also higher in patients (22.5±2.3 AU/dl) compared to controls (3.3±1.0 AU/dl). These increases in ACL antibodies in patients suggested a risk factor for the disease. Additionally, Serum amyloid A (SAA) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were significantly higher in patients, with measurements of 66±10.4 (AU/ml) and 55±12.5 (AU/ml) respectively, compared to controls who had measurements of 3.6±1.9 (AU/ml) and 2.3±0.98 (AU/ml) respectively, which was highly significant (<0.001). Procalcitonin (PCT) was also highly significant in patients (40±6.3 AU/ml) compared to the control group (6.4±2.6 AU/ml). Lastly, the concentration of total IgG antibodies was significantly higher in patients (25.3±2.6 AU/dl) than in controls (4.3±1.0 AU/dl), with a significant difference (P=0.006). Conclusion: High concentrations of autoantibodies in patients suggest a risk factor and positive associations with the disease.