Inflammatory biomarkers and telomere length in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To analyze whether leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is impaired in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: Hospital.

Patient(s): A total of 274 women, including 150 patients with PCOS and 124 controls.

Intervention(s): None.

Main outcome measure(s): Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systemic arterial pressure, lipid profile, E(2), LH, T, androstenedione, PRL, TSH, sex hormone-binding globulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, free androgen index, and the homeostatic model of insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR) index were analyzed. The LTL evaluation was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Result(s): The PCOS group had higher values for weight, BMI, waist circumference, systolic arterial pressure, triglycerides, LH, T, insulin, CRP, free androgen index, and HOMA-IR compared with the control group. Sex hormone-binding globulin and E(2) levels were lower in the PCOS group than in the control group. The LTL did not differ between groups. Age, BMI, and HOMA-IR had no significant effect on LTL. The inflammatory biomarkers CRP and homocysteine were negatively correlated with LTL in patients with PCOS.

Conclusion(s): Our results showed no differences in LTL between patients with PCOS and controls, but CRP and homocysteine biomarkers negatively correlated with LTL in the PCOS group.

Keywords: Polycystic ovary syndrome; hyperandrogenism; inflammatory biomarkers; oxidative stress; telomeres.