Plasma very long chain fatty acids levels and its relationship with obesity, insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome women

Abstract

Objective To investigate the changes in plasma very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients, and further to explore its relationship with obesity and insulin resistance. Methods Two hundred and five PCOS patients were screened out according to the diagnostic criteria of Rotterdam conference (2003), aged 18-40 years. A group of 117 healthy infertile women of corresponding period was taken as control. These women were chosen randomly from reproductive center due to the problems of uterine tube or males. The plasma hormone levels were examined. Ten kinds of plasma VLCFAs were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Data between two groups analysis was performed by t test. Multiple stepwise regression analysis was used to analysize multiple factors of measurement data. Results Compared with normal individuals, plasma VLCFAs levels was disorder in PCOS patients. There is a lower C20: 4n-6/C20: 3n-6 in VLCFAs of PCOS patients, and a higher C20: 1n-9, C20: 2n-7, C20: 3n-6, C22: 4n-6, C20: 5n-3, C22: 5n-3 and C22: 6n-3, compared with the control group(t=0.539-6.155, all P<0.05). In the PCOS group, compared with non-obese patients, obese patients had a higher C20: 0, and lower C20: 3n-6 and C20: 2n-7 (t=-0.927, 2.452, 0.767, both P<0.05). Compared with non insulin resistance group, patients with insulin resistance had a higher C20: 0 and lower C20: 2n-7 and C22: 5n-3 levels (t=-2.064, 2.195, 2.183, both P<0.05). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that C20: 2n-7 and C20: 0 were independent risk factors of obesity and insulin resistance, respectively. Conclusions Disturbance metabolism of VLCFA existed in the PCOS patients. The decrease of C20: 2n-7 was probably an influence factor of obesity in PCOS patients and the increase of C20: 0 was probably an influence factor of insulin resistance in PCOS patients. Key words: Polycystic ovary syndrome; Obesity; Insulin resistance; Very long chain fatty acids