Recent advance on relationship between oxidative stress and hyperandrogenism in polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of common female endocrine metabolic disorders, characterized by oligo-ovulation and/or anovulation (OA), clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism (HA) and polycystic ovaries (PCO). The clinical manifestations of PCOS are highly complex and heterogeneous. Aside from menstrual and reproductive dysfunctions, PCOS is often associated with long-term health risks, such as obesity, insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidaemia, increased oxidative stress (OS), subclinical chronic inflammation, elevated risks of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and future cardiovascular diseases. HA plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Increased OS is not only an important factor leading to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases, but also potentially related to the occurrence and progress of PCOS. Recent studies have shown that there was a strong association between HA and increased OS in PCOS. In this article, we focus on the sources of OS molecules and the antioxidant defense mechanisms, the OS status in PCOS and its relationship with HA, the interaction and its impossible mechanisms between HA and OS, and the current status and future prospects of OS prevention and treatment in patients with PCOS. Key words: Polycystic ovary syndrome; Hyperandrogenism; Oxidative stress; Female