Abstract
BackgroundLipocalin-2 is a novel adipokine that appears to play a role in the development of insulin resistance. Serum lipocalin-2 levels are elevated in obese patients. Obesity and insulin resistance are cardinal characteristics of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, there are limited data on serum lipocalin-2 levels in patients with PCOS. The aim of the present study was to assess serum lipocalin-2 levels in PCOS.MethodsWe studied 200 patients with PCOS and 50 healthy female volunteers.ResultsSerum lipocalin-2 levels were slightly higher in women with PCOS compared with controls (65.4 +/- 34.3 vs. 60.3 +/- 26.0 ng/ml, respectively) but this difference did not reach statistical significance. In contrast, lipocalin-2 levels were higher in overweight/obese women with PCOS than in normal weight women with the syndrome (76.2 +/- 37.3 vs. 54.5 +/- 27.2 ng/ml, respectively; p < 0.001). Serum lipocalin-2 levels were also higher in overweight/obese controls compared with normal weight controls (70.1 +/- 24.9 vs. 50.5 +/- 23.7 ng/ml, respectively; p = 0.004). In the total study population (patients with PCOS and controls), lipocalin-2 levels were independently correlated with the body mass index (p < 0.001). In women with PCOS, lipocalin-2 levels were independently correlated with the waist (p < 0.001).ConclusionsObesity is associated with elevated serum lipocalin-2 levels. In contrast, PCOS does not appear to affect lipocalin-2 levels.
Highlights
Lipocalin-2 is a novel adipokine that appears to play a role in the development of insulin resistance
There were no differences in plasma glucose or insulin levels, glucose/insulin ratio, the area under the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) curve and the indices HOMA-insulin resistance (IR) and QUICKI between women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and controls
Serum lipocalin-2 levels were slightly higher in women with PCOS compared with controls (65.4 ± 34.3 vs. 60.3 ± 26.0 ng/ ml, respectively) but this difference did not reach statistical significance
Summary
Lipocalin-2 is a novel adipokine that appears to play a role in the development of insulin resistance. Serum lipocalin-2 levels are elevated in obese patients. Obesity and insulin resistance are cardinal characteristics of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). There are limited data on serum lipocalin-2 levels in patients with PCOS. The aim of the present study was to assess serum lipocalin-2 levels in PCOS. Usually of the central type, is included in the cardinal characteristics of the syndrome, as it is present in varying degrees (30-70%) and is directly linked to increased peripheral insulin resistance (IR) [3,4,5]. Lipocalin-2 belongs to the superfamily of lipocalins and was first isolated in human neutrophils. Lipocalin-2 mRNA has been isolated in the bone marrow, as well as in tissues exposed to microorganisms (respiratory and alimentary tract, genitourinary system). Lipocalin-2 is expressed in several types of cells, including adipocytes, endothelial cells, macrophages, vascular smooth muscle cells, hepatocytes, endometrial cells and splenic cells [15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22]
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