Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Individuals Research Articles

Identification of MAP1LC3A as a promising mitophagy-related gene in polycystic ovary syndrome

Increasing evidence suggests that mitophagy is crucially involved in the progression of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Exploration of PCOS-specific biomarkers related to mitophagy is expected to provide critical insights into disease pathogenesis. In this study, we employed bioinformatic analyses and machine learning algorithms to determine novel biomarkers for PCOS that may be tied with mitophagy. A grand total of 12 differential expressed mitophagy-related genes (DE‐MRGs) associated with PCOS were identified. TOMM5 and MAP1LC3A among the 12 DE‐MRGs were recognized as potential marker genes by LASSO, RF and SVM‐RFE algorithms. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of MAP1LC3A were all greater than 0.8 both in the training set and validation sets. The CIBERSORT analysis indicated a potential association between alterations in the immune microenvironment of PCOS individuals and MAP1LC3A expression. In addition, we found that MAP1LC3A was positively related to the testosterone levels of PCOS patients. Overall, MAP1LC3A was identified as optimal PCOS-specific biomarkers related to mitophagy. Our findings created a diagnostic strength and offered a perspective for investigating the mitophagy process in PCOS.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THYROID FUNCTION PROFILES BETWEEN POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME PATIENTS AND HEALTHY CONTROLS: A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY

Objective: To assess the thyroid function status of patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and to compare it with that of healthy women. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Biochemistry in collaboration with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of a tertiary care hospital in Northern India. 30 patients diagnosed to have polycystic ovarian syndrome on the basis of the Rotterdam criteria were included in this study as cases (Group P). 30 healthy women were enrolled as the control group (Group H). The mean age and marital status of the patients were assessed. The body mass index of all the patients was also determined and compared. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse rate were also compared. A thyroid function test was done in both groups. The mean triiodothyronine (T3), T4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were compared in both groups. p<0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: The mean age of patients with PCOS and healthy individuals was 22.10±3.97 years and 23.76±3.97 years, respectively. The mean ages of both groups were found to be comparable in both studies (p=0.1108). The mean body mass index (BMI) of groups P and H was found to be 27.23±5.82 and 23.15±4.12, respectively. The women in group P were found to have a higher BMI as compared to women in group H, and the difference was found to be statistically significant (p=0.0027). The mean pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure values were found to be comparable. The mean FT3 levels in groups P and H were found to be 3.11±0.88 and 3.13±0.42 ng/mL, whereas the mean free thyroxine levels in groups P and H were found to be 0.96±0.16 and 0.89±0.15, respectively, μg/dL. The mean T3 and T4 levels of both groups were found to be comparable in both groups. However, the mean TSH level in groups P and H was found to be 4.95±2.24 and 2.50±1.19 0.3–4.5 μIU/ml, respectively. The mean TSH level in group P was found to be higher than group H, and the difference was found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism was found to be significantly high in women with PCOS, making it necessary to do periodic thyroid function tests in PCOS.

Serum Chemerin Levels Correlate With Severity of Dysglycemia in Young Adult Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

A subset of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) individuals also have type 2 diabetes (T2D); an unmet need to identify this subgroup exists. We looked at the potential role of serum chemerin, a proinflammatory adipokine, in identifying dysglycemic PCOS. A total of 93 PCOS and 33 healthy controls were classified, based on fasting and 2-hour plasma glucose levels (2hPGPG) and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (%) into normoglycemic (n = 34), dysglycemic (n = 33), and T2D (n = 26). Serum chemerin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Homeostatic model 2 assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-2IR) and homeostatic model 2 assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-2β) were computed using serum C-peptide. Metabolic syndrome was present in 9.7% (National Cholesterol Education Program) of PCOS. Waist circumference, body fat (%), 2hPGPG, and HbA1c levels were significantly higher in T2D group. Serum triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TGs/HDL-c) ratio was increased in PCOS individuals with T2D; no significant changes in total cholesterol and LDL-c levels were seen. Serum chemerin levels were significantly higher (P < .001) in the PCOS group. Total body fat (%), 2hPGPG, HbA1c, and TG/HDL-c ratio correlated positively with chemerin levels. Serum chemerin levels correlated positively with HOMA2IR and negatively with HOMA-2β. On receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, a serum chemerin cutoff level of greater than 309.3 ng/mL differentiated PCOS individuals with dysglycemia from those without (sensitivity 85.71%, specificity 89.47%). The Cohen kappa test revealed a substantial agreement (P < .001) between chemerin cutoff and 2hPGPG levels greater than 200 mg/dL. The present study is arguably the first ever to define a serum chemerin cutoff to distinguish PCOS individuals with T2D from those without. Elevated serum chemerin levels reliably identify PCOS individuals with dysglycemia. Further, longitudinal studies with larger samples are required to confirm this association.

Circulating miRNAs in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often change their metabolic profile over time to decrease levels of androgens while often gaining a propensity for the development of the metabolic syndrome. Recent discoveries indicate that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a role in the development of PCOS and constitute potential biomarkers for PCOS. We aimed to identify miRNAs associated with the development of an impaired metabolic profile in women with PCOS, in a follow-up study, compared with women without PCOS. Clinical measurements of PCOS status and metabolic disease were obtained twice 6 years apart in a cohort of 46 women with PCOS and nine controls. All participants were evaluated for degree of metabolic disease (hypertension, dyslipidemia, central obesity, and impaired glucose tolerance). MiRNA levels were measured using Taqman® Array cards of 96 pre-selected miRNAs associated with PCOS and/or metabolic disease. Women with PCOS decreased their levels of androgens during follow-up. Twenty-six of the miRNAs were significantly changed in circulation in women with PCOS during the follow-up, and twenty-four of them had decreased, while levels did not change in the control group. Four miRNAs were significantly different at baseline between healthy controls and women with PCOS; miR-103-3p, miR-139-5p, miR-28-3p, and miR-376a-3p, which were decreased in PCOS. After follow-up, miR-28-3p, miR-139-5p, and miR-376a-3p increased in PCOS women to the levels observed in healthy controls. Of these, miR-139-5p correlated with total testosterone levels (rho = 0.50, padj = 0.013), while miR-376-3p correlated significantly with the waist-hip ratio at follow-up (rho = 0.43, padj = 0.01). Predicted targets of miR-103-3p, miR-139-5p, miR-28-3p, and miR-376a-3p were enriched in pathways associated with Insulin/IGF signaling, interleukin signaling, the GNRH receptor pathways, and other signaling pathways. MiRNAs altered during follow-up in PCOS patients were enriched in pathways related to immune regulation, gonadotropin-releasing hormone signaling, tyrosine kinase signaling, and WNT signaling. These studies indicate that miRNAs associated with PCOS and androgen metabolism overall decrease during a 6-year follow-up, reflecting the phenotypic change in PCOS individuals towards a less hyperandrogenic profile.

Is There a Relation between Hypothyroidism and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and its Metabolic Components?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent endocrine illnesses among women of reproductive age. PCOS is linked to several issues, including hypothyroidism and metabolic disorders. Hypothyroidism seems to be associated with insulin resistance and other metabolic factors. The present study aimed to evaluate the incidence of hypothyroidism in PCOS patients and compare it with healthy controls. Moreover, the impact of hypothyroidism on metabolic parameters, particularly insulin resistance, in PCOS patients was also examined. This study was conducted on 41 women with PCOS and 41 healthy women as controls from March to November, 2018. Participants' demographic information was recorded. Thyroid function tests were compared between the case and control groups. Metabolic parameters were examined between hypothyroid and euthyroid PCOS individuals. Patients with PCOS displayed a greater incidence of hypothyroidism and a higher level of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies compared to the control group. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was substantially higher in hypothyroid PCOS patients than in non-hypothyroid individuals, although no significant changes were observed in other metabolic markers. Hypothyroid PCOS patients and those without hypothyroidism did not differ in insulin resistance. Autoimmunity was not found to be linked to a higher risk of metabolic problems. As evidenced by the results of this study, PCOS patients had a higher prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism than healthy subjects. Metabolic indicators, except for HDL, were not different between PCOS patients with and without hypothyroidism.

Circulating HHIP Levels in Women with Insulin Resistance and PCOS: Effects of Physical Activity, Cold Stimulation and Anti-Diabetic Drug Therapy.

Serum human hedgehog-interacting protein (HHIP) concentration is associated with diabetes. However, the relationship between HHIP and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or abnormal sex hormones remains unknown. This study was an observational cross-sectional study, with additional short-term intervention studies and follow-up studies. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to explore the association of PCOS with metabolic-related genes and signaling pathways. OGTT and EHC were performed on all participants. Lipid infusion, cold exposure, and 45-min treadmill test were performed on all healthy women. A total of 137 women with PCOS were treated with metformin, GLP-1RA, or TZDs for 24 weeks. Serum HHIP levels were higher in insulin resistance (IR) and PCOS women. Circulating HHIP levels were significantly correlated with adiponectin (Adipoq) levels, obesity, IR, and metabolic indicators. A correlation presented between HHIP and DHEA-S, FAI, SHBG, and FSH. Serum HHIP levels were significantly elevated by oral glucose challenge in healthy women, but not affected by EHC. Lipid infusion decreased serum HHIP levels, while cold exposure increased HHIP levels in healthy women. GLP-1RA and TZD treatment reduced serum HHIP levels in PCOS women, while metformin treatment did not affect HHIP levels. HHIP may be a useful biomarker and novel drug target for PCOS and IR individuals.

The Nutritional Intervention Improves the Metabolic Profile of Overweight and Obese PCOS Along with the Differences in Gut Microbiota.

Previous studies had shown that the gut microbiota of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients had significant differences from those of healthy individuals, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Lifestyle intervention, such as nutritional intervention, could improve the metabolic profiles and PCOS-like phenotypes of PCOS patients. Meanwhile, nutritional intervention could rapidly alter and reshape the distribution of gut microbiota in individuals. Therefore, we sought to investigate the differences in gut microbiota in overweight and obese PCOS patients with or without nutritional intervention. Thirty-six overweight and obese PCOS patients were finally enrolled in the study. Eighteen individuals who refused nutritional intervention (RNI) were collected as the RNI group. Eighteen individuals who received the nutritional intervention were collected as the pre-NI group before the nutritional intervention. And they were also collected as the NI group after the nutritional intervention for 4-12weeks. Significant decreases in BMI, FBG, TC, TG, APO A1, and APO B were observed when comparing the NI group with the pre-NI and RNI groups after the nutritional intervention for 4-12weeks. Meanwhile, the differences in the phylum Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and the species Eubacterium rectale, Flavonifractor plautii, and Bacteroides vulgatus between the NI and the RNI groups were observed, which may be potentially linked to the improved inflammatory state and PCOS-like phenotypes of overweight and obese PCOS individuals.

Risk Correlation Analysis between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Serum Visfatin Levels in Middle-Aged Women: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that occurs frequently in women of childbearing age and is associated with insulin resistance. Serum visfatin can affect insulin resistance by binding to insulin receptors and further affect the occurrence and development of PCOS. In this study, we investigated the current status of serum visfatin levels in patients with PCOS through a literature search and meta-analysis. We searched online Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), CBMdisc (China Biology Medicine disc) databases and registered websites such as the ICTRP (International Clinical Trial Registration Platform) and clinicaltrials.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov/) for case-control studies on PCOS and visfatin levels, assessed the quality of the included articles with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS scale), and combined the comparison of serum visfatin levels between patients with PCOS and healthy individuals from high-quality studies. 20 research papers were included in the quantitative analysis of this study. The combined analysis showed that obese patients with PCOS had statistically significantly higher visfatin levels than healthy people [MD (mean difference) = 12.94, 95% CI (confidence interval) (6.52-19.37), Z = 3.95, p < 0.0001]. Visfatin levels were higher in non-obese patients with PCOS than in healthy people and are statistically significant [MD = 14.98, 95% CI (5.80-24.16), Z = 3.20, p = 0.001]. Heterogeneity in the combined analysis was not related to study location, the publication year of the literature, source of serum samples, but was influenced by the quality of the literature. After excluding the most influential papers, the combined analysis was conducted again, and the conclusion was consistent with that before the exclusion. The results of Egger's test showed no significant publication bias. High serum visfatin levels are a natural feature of PCOS and are not associated with obesity; Serum visfatin levels may be a potential marker for the diagnosis of PCOS, but their relationship with PCOS and insulin resistance remains worthy of in-depth investigation.

Body mass index and quality of life in individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome: Dysmorphic concerns and eating disorders as mediators.

ObjectiveWeight issues, dysmorphic concerns and eating disorders are common among individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and are linked to poor quality of life (QoL). The goal of the current study was to examine whether the association between body mass index (BMI) and QoL was mediated by dysmorphic concerns, examining also the relations with eating disorder symptomatology.MethodsQuestionnaires were administered to 435 individuals with PCOS aged between 18 and 40 years (M = 27.62; SD = 4.83) to measure dysmorphic concerns, eating disorder symptoms and QoL. Participants were also asked to report their height and weight to compute their BMI.ResultsStructural equation modeling was used to observe the relationship between the variables. The results revealed a direct relationship between QoL, BMI, dysmorphic concerns and eating disorder symptomatology. In addition, dysmorphic concerns were related to BMI and eating disorder symptomatology. Furthermore, the results showed the mediating role of dysmorphic concerns and eating disorder symptoms in the relationship between BMI and QoL.ConclusionThe current results highlight the potential importance of harmful relationships with one's own body and food, explaining why weight issues may be linked to different levels of QoL in PCOS individuals. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Acetate restores hypothalamic-adipose kisspeptin status in a rat model of PCOS by suppression of NLRP3 immunoreactivity

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex reproductive event that is delineated by endocrine/metabolic disorders. Alteration of kisspeptin status in the hypothalamus and adipose tissue is critical to increased endocrine/metabolic derangements in PCOS individuals, aggravating the clinical manifestation of PCOS and its complications. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are crucial modulators of metabolic homeostasis. However, the role of SCFAs, particularly acetate on hypothalamic-adipose kisspeptin status (HAKS) in PCOS model is unknown. The present study hypothesized acetate as a key player in restoration of deranged HAKS, associated with experimental PCOS model. Three groups (n = 6/group) of female Wistar rats (120-150 g) were used. The groups were treated (po) for 21 days with vehicle, letrozole (1 mg/kg) with/without acetate (200 mg/kg) respectively. Letrozole-treated animals had impaired glucose homeostasis, elevated testosterone, leptin and LH/FSH ratio and decreased GnRH and adiponectin with ovarian tissues revealing degenerated follicles and disrupted morphology. These animals also showed increased concentration of hypothalamic triglyceride (TG)/total cholesterol (TC), free fatty acid (FFA), and decreased concentration of TG/TC/FFA in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) with an increase in hypothalamic and VAT malondialdehyde, NF-κB/TNF-α and decreased glutathione/G6PD and hypothalamic but not VAT kisspeptin. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in the hypothalamus and VAT and all these changes were attenuated by acetate. Altogether, the present results demonstrate that PCOS is characterized with hypothalamic-adipose inflammation, associated with immunohistochemical expression of NLRP3 with significant alteration of hypothalamic but not adipose kisspeptin. The results suggest that acetate restores kisspeptin status in PCOS animals. This beneficial effect is accompanied by repressed NLRP3 immunoreactivity.

POLİKİSTİK OVER SENDROMLU HASTALARDA SERUM SKLEROSTİN VE DİCKKOPF-1 SEVİYELERİ

AMAÇ: Polikistik over sendromu (PKOS), premenopozal kadınlarda en sık görülen endokrin patolojidir ve çeşitli sistemleri etkileyen karmaşık bir sendromdur. PKOS'un kemik metabolizması üzerindeki etkileri hakkında çok sayıda çalışma yapılmıştır, ancak PKOS’da osteoporoz riski konusundaki veriler çelişkilidir. Wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus integration site (Wnt) yolu, kemik metabolizmasının düzenlenmesinde önemli rol oynar. Bu yolun inhibitörleri olarak Sklerostin (Scl) ve Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) son zamanlarda osteoporozun terapötik tedavisiiçin hedefler haline gelmiştir. Bu çalışma, PKOS'lu kadınlarda Scl ve DKK1 düzeylerini belirlemeyi amaçlamıştır.GEREÇ VE YÖNTEM: Bu çalışmada PKOS tanısı konulmuş 36 kadın ve 35 sağlıklı gönüllü retrospektif olarak incelendi. Her iki grup, demografik, antropometrik, biyokimyasal parametrelerin yanı sıra Scl ve DKK1 seviyeleri açısından karşılaştırıldı.BULGULAR: Scl seviyesi, PKOS grubunda 42,68 ± 13,28 pg / mL ve kontrol grubunda 45,69 ± 11,79 pg / mL idi ve istatistiksel olarak benzerdi. DKK1 seviyesi, PKOS grubunda 1444,73 ± 611,30 pg / mL ve kontrol grubunda 1204,26 ± 660,88 pg / mL idi ve istatistiksel olarak benzerdi. PKOS grubunun vücut kitle indeksi (VKİ) ve bel/kalça oranı (BKO) değerleri, istatistiksel olarak anlamlı olmamasına rağmen, kontrol grubuna göre daha yüksekti.SONUÇ: Bu çalışma, PKOS'lu kadınlarla sağlıklı bireyler arasında, Scl ve DKK1 düzeyleri bakımından anlamlı bir fark olmadığını göstermiştir. Amenore PKOS olgularında kemik kaybına neden olsa da, hiperandrojenemi ve hiperöstrojeneminin kemik yoğunluğu üzerindeki olumlu etkileri dengeleyici bir unsur olarak kabul edilebilir.

Pancreatic fat relates to fasting insulin and postprandial lipids but not polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescents with obesity.

Adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and obesity can have insulin resistance, dysglycemia, and hepatic steatosis. Excess pancreatic fat may disturb insulin secretion and relate to hepatic fat. Associations between pancreatic fat fraction (PFF) and metabolic measures in PCOS were unknown. This secondary analysis included 113 sedentary, nondiabetic adolescent girls (age = 15.4 [1.9] years), with or without PCOS and BMI ≥ 90th percentile. Participants underwent fasting labs, oral glucose tolerance tests, and magnetic resonance imaging for hepatic fat fraction (HFF) and PFF. Groups were categorized by PFF (above or below the median of 2.18%) and compared. Visceral fat and HFF were elevated in individuals with PCOS versus control individuals, but PFF was similar. PFF did not correlate with serum androgens. Higher and lower PFF groups had similar HFF, with no correlation between PFF and HFF, although hepatic steatosis was more common in those with higher PFF (≥5.0% HFF; 60% vs. 36%; p = 0.014). The higher PFF group had higher fasting insulin (p = 0.026), fasting insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, p = 0.032; 1/fasting insulin, p = 0.028), free fatty acids (p = 0.034), and triglycerides (p = 0.004) compared with those with lower PFF. β-Cell function and insulin sensitivity were similar between groups. Neither PCOS status nor androgens related to PFF. However, fasting insulin and postprandial lipids were worse with higher PFF.

IMPORTANT RISK FACTOR OF HYPERHOMOCYSTEINEMIA IN CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM DISEASES AND STATUS OF THE HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS IN POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME

Amaç: Polikistik Over Sendromu (PKOS) olan hastalar, hiperhomosisteinemiye bağlı kardiyovasküler sistem ile ilişkili hastalıklar için uzun vadede risk grubundadır. Çalışmamız, hiperhomosisteineminin PKOS tanılı hastalarda önemi ve kardiyovasküler hastalıkların ön tanısında kullanılabilecek bir belirteç olup olmadığını araştırmayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu çalışmada, PKOS tanısı almış hastalar ile sağlıklı bireyler arasında serum homosistein düzeyleri karşılaştırılmıştır.&#x0D; Materyal ve Metod: Çalışmamız hastanemizin polikliniğine başvuran 20-49 yaş arası Rotterdam kriterlerine göre PKOS tanısı almış 24 hasta ve kontrol grubu olarak 26 sağlıklı gönüllü kadın ile yapılmış prospektif kesitsel bir çalışmadır. Çalışmaya dahil edilen tüm katılımcıların antropometrik ölçümleri kaydedildi. Çalışmaya katılan bireylerin kan örnekleri 12 saatlik açlığı takiben adetin 2. veya 3. gününde -80 derecede santrifüj edilerek serum homosistein düzeyleri ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay) ile ölçüldü. Katılımcıların serum homosistein düzeyleri 30 μmol / L'nin altında ve 30 μmol / L'nin üzerinde olmak üzere iki gruba ayrıldı. Serum homosistein düzeylerine bakılmaksızın katılımcılar vücut kitle indeksi (VKİ) 25 kg (kilogram) / m2 (metrekare) üstü ve altı, bel çevresi 80 cm (santimetre) üstü ve altı olmak üzere gruplara ayrıldı. Oluşturulan yeni grupların serum homosistein seviyeleri karşılaştırıldı.&#x0D; Bulgular: PKOS'lu kadınların serum homosistein düzeyleri, PKOS olmayan kadınlara göre daha yüksek bulundu (p = 0,001). PKOS hastaları, kontrol grubuna göre anlamlı derecede daha gençti (p = 0,017). VKİ, bel çevresi ve serum homosistein düzeyleri arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark bulunmadı (p&gt; 0.5).&#x0D; Sonuç: VKİ ve bel çevresi ne olursa olsun, fenotip A PKOS'lu gençlerde rutin serum homosistein düzeylerinin taranması ve hiperhomosisteinemili hastaların tedavi edilmesi, uzun vadede gelişebilecek kardiyovasküler sistem ilişki hastalıklarının öngörülmesinde ve önlenmesinde faydalı olabilir.

Oxidative stress markers in the follicular fluid of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome correlate with a decrease in embryo quality.

Elevated oxidative stress has been proposed as an important factor in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-related infertility. Our study was aimed at simultaneously exploring local and systemic oxidative stress in PCOS individuals and its relationship with embryo quality. We recruited 86 PCOS cases and 60 controls. Five representative oxidative stress markers, namely, total oxidant capacity (TOC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malonaldehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were measured in both follicular fluid (FF) and serum. Women with PCOS compared to normal controls had higher levels of TOC in both FF (10.13 ± 2.68 vs.7.03 ± 2.45, P < 0.001) and serum (11.76 ± 2.92 vs. 8.82 ± 2.57, P < 0.001). The oxidative stress index (OSI, the ratio of TOC to TAC) was also higher in PCOS cases. They were still significant after BMI adjustment (Padj<0.01). In addition, the serum OSI level was much higher than the FF OSI level in both groups. Correlation analysis showed that the FF and serum TOC were negatively correlated with the high-quality embryo rate on day 3 and the later blastocyst formation rate in the PCOS group (P < 0.05). The correlation coefficient was higher in FF. Moreover, as the regression analysis data showed, the FF MDA level was significantly associated with embryo quality indicators (P < 0.05). PCOS was accompanied by elevated oxidative stress in both serum and FF. Even though serum oxidative stress was severe, the study suggested that FF oxidative stress contributed more to embryo quality, to which we should give more attention in the future.

The Gut Microbiome in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Its Association with Metabolic Traits.

Despite the gut microbiome being widely studied in metabolic diseases, its role in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been scarcely investigated. Compare the gut microbiome in late fertile age women with and without PCOS and investigate whether changes in the gut microbiome correlate with PCOS-related metabolic parameters. Prospective, case-control study using the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966. General community. A total of 102 PCOS women and 201 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched non-PCOS control women. Clinical and biochemical characteristics of the participants were assessed at ages 31 and 46 and analyzed in the context of gut microbiome data at the age of 46. (s): None. Bacterial diversity, relative abundance, and correlations with PCOS-related metabolic measures. Bacterial diversity indices did not differ significantly between PCOS and controls (Shannon diversity P = .979, unweighted UniFrac P = .175). Four genera whose balance helps to differentiate between PCOS and non-PCOS were identified. In the whole cohort, the abundance of 2 genera from Clostridiales, Ruminococcaceae UCG-002, and Clostridiales Family XIII AD3011 group, were correlated with several PCOS-related markers. Prediabetic PCOS women had significantly lower alpha diversity (Shannon diversity P = .018) and markedly increased abundance of genus Dorea (false discovery rate = 0.03) compared with women with normal glucose tolerance. PCOS and non-PCOS women at late fertile age with similar BMI do not significantly differ in their gut microbial profiles. However, there are significant microbial changes in PCOS individuals depending on their metabolic health.

Impact of polycystic ovary syndrome on eating behavior, depression and health related quality of life: A cross-sectional study in Riyadh.

Background & objectivesPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinal disorder, and the greatest cause of infertility in women. Despite availability of individual data on impact of multiple endocrinal, reproductive and even metabolic factors in PCOS individuals, the data on the co-existence of BED and depression in PCOS patients with its relationship on the quality of life in Saudi Arabian females is not found. Hence this study is aimed to elucidate the implication of PCOS on eating behaviour, induction of depression and general health quality in Saudi Arabian population of Riyadh.Materials and methodsThis is a cross-sectional study carried out in multiple health facilities of Riyadh from January to March 2019. The study samples (494) were recruited by convenience sampling and administered validated questionnaire by trained research participants. The data obtained was analysed by binary logistic regression using SPSS-IBM 25.ResultsOf the total 494 women participated in the study, 23.48% (116) were PCOS individuals. The odds of developing abnormal health related quality of (HRQ) in patients with PCOS was significantly (P = 0.000, OR = 3.472) high when compared to non-PCOS participants. The odds of showing high binge eating disorder (BED, P = 0.007, OR = 2.856) and depression (P = 0.000, OR = 2.497) scores in PCOS participants were significantly more than patients who were not having PCOS. Out of the three parameters studied, abnormal health related quality of life possessed a higher influence of PCOS compared to depression and abnormal eating behavior.Interpretation & conclusionIn conclusion, the present study shows that women with PCOS are at a significant risk for depressive disorders, disorganized eating behavior and impaired quality of life. Therefore, necessary care and screening is required to minimize the impact of PCOS on already burdened individuals.

Comparing the effect of sitagliptin and metformin on the oocyte and embryo quality in classic PCOS patients undergoing ICSI.

Insulin resistance plays a major role in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Therefore, there is a growing interest in the use of insulin sensitizer drugs in the treatment of PCOS. Research in recent years has shown that sitagliptin has been reported to improve ovarian cycles and ovulation in PCOS patients. We aimed to compare the effects of metformin and sitagliptin on PCOS individuals undergoing ICSI. Sixty PCOS patients were divided into 3 groups: metformin, sitagliptin, and placebo group. Treatment was carried out 2months before the start of the ovulation cycle and continued until the day of oocyte aspiration. The serum levels of total testosterone, estradiol, and fasting insulin along with the total number of retrieved, normal and abnormal MII, and fertilized oocytes, the number of transferred embryos (grades I, II and III), and biochemical and clinical pregnancy rates as well as the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) were evaluated. There was a significant reduction in the serum levels of Insulin and total testosterone in the treated groups compared with the placebo. The number of mature and normal MII oocytes increased significantly in the treated groups compared with the placebo. Moreover, the number of immature oocytes decreased significantly and the number of grade I embryos increases significantly in the sitagliptin group compared with the placebo group. We conclude that sitagliptin can improve the maturation of oocytes and embryos' quality more effectively than metformin, in PCOS patients undergoing ICSI. Trial registration is NCT04268563 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov ).

Novel circular RNA expression in the cumulus cells of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) mediate the posttranscriptional regulation of multiple genes by functioning as microRNA (miRNA) sponges. This study aimed to detect the novel expression of circRNAs in the cumulus cells (CCs) of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and their potential significance in the pathogenesis of PCOS. circRNAs in the CCs from 6 PCOS patients and 6 normal control individuals were collected for microarray analysis, and an independent cohort study including 25 PCOS patients and 25 normal control individuals was conducted to validate the circRNA microarray results using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Spearman's rank correlation and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) were performed to delineate the potential correlation between novel circRNAs and patients' clinical characteristics and their potential efficacy for the diagnosis of PCOS. Bioinformatics analysis was applied to investigate the potential roles of circRNAs in the pathogenesis of PCOS. A total of 286 circRNAs (167 upregulated and 119 downregulated) were identified by microarray that was differentially expressed between the PCOS and non-PCOS groups. After qRT-PCR validation, the expression levels of hsa_circ_0043533 (p < 0.05) and hsa_circ_0043532 (p < 0.01) were significantly higher in the PCOS group, while the expression level of hsa_circ_0097636 (p < 0.01) was prominently lower versus the non-PCOS group. Spearman's rank correlation indicated that the serum testosterone (T) level positively correlated with the expression of hsa_circ_0043533 and hsa_circ_0097636 in the PCOS group. The ROC curve analysis found that the combination of hsa_circ_0097636 and T resulted in a larger area under the curve (AUC) (0.893) compared with each circRNA alone (0.709, 0.738, and 0.718 for hsa_circ_0043533, hsa_circ_0097636 and hsa_circ_0043532, respectively). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the dysregulated circRNAs were potentially involved in cell cycle, oocyte meiosis, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, the FOXO signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol signaling and glycerophospholipid metabolism. The expression of circRNAs in CCs was significantly different between PCOS and normal control individuals. We validated three circRNAs, which could lead to a better understanding of disease pathogenesis and the development of effective therapeutic interventions for PCOS patients.

Effects of Melatonin Administration on Chemical Pregnancy Rates of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients Undergoing Intrauterine Insemination: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BackgroundOxidative stress as a potential cause of poor oocyte quality can influence a female’s reproductive system. This study aimed to investigate the effects of melatonin on chemical pregnancy rates of a significant number of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI).Materials and MethodsIn this double-blinded randomized clinical trial (RCT) study, the samples included 198 PCOS patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria and undergoing the IUI treatment. On the third day of menstruation, a 3-mg melatonin tablet or its placebo was given to the patients according to the randomized study protocol; this prescription was continued until the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration. The current study attempted primarily to scrutinize the effect of melatonin administration on the rate of chemical pregnancy and mature follicles during the IUI treatment cycle, and secondarily to determine the endometrial thickness (ET) on the day of IUI.ResultsThe mean age of the participants in the study was 28.9 ± 5.5 years. The chemical pregnancy rate in the group receiving melatonin was about 32%, when it was 18% in the control group (P=0.012). Furthermore, it was concluded that the addition of melatonin to the treatment cycle of PCOS individuals could significantly improve the ET after the treatment (P<0.001).ConclusionThe results of this study demonstrated that the treatment of PCOS patients undergoing IUI with mela- tonin significantly improves the rate of chemical pregnancy (Registration number: IRCT2017021132489N1).

Dysbiosis of Gut Microbiota Associated with Clinical Parameters in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder in women. Gut microbiota has been implicated to play a critical role in metabolic diseases and may modulate the secretion of mediators of the brain–gut axis. Interaction between gut microbiota and the endocrine and biochemical disturbances in PCOS still remains elusive. Here, we showed an altered gut microbiota significantly correlated with PCOS phenotype. There were 33 patients with PCOS (non-obese PCOS individuals, PN, n = 12; obese PCOS individuals, PO, n = 21) as well as 15 control subjects (non-obese control individuals, CN, n = 9; obese control individuals, CO, n = 6) enrolled in our study. The plasma levels of serotonin, ghrelin, and peptide YY (PYY) were significantly decreased in patients with PCOS compared with controls, and have a significantly negative correlation with waist circumference and testosterone. Sequencing of the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene in fecal samples revealed the substantial differences of gut microbial species between the PCOS and non-obese controls. Bacterial species were clustered into 23 co-abundance groups (CAGs) based on the SparCC correlation coefficients of their relative abundance. The CAGs increased in PCOS, including the bacteria belonging to Bacteroides, Escherichia/Shigella and Streptococcus, were negatively correlated with ghrelin, and positively correlated with testosterone and BMI. Furthermore, the CAGs that were decreased in PCOS, including the bacteria from Akkermansia and Ruminococcaceae, showed opposite relationship with body-weight, sex-hormone, and brain–gut peptides. In conclusion, gut microbial dysbiosis in women with PCOS is associated with the disease phenotypes.