Asprosin: a novel peptide hormone related to insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Gynecol Endocrinol. 2019 Mar;35(3):220-223. doi: 10.1080/09513590.2018.1512967. Epub 2018 Oct 16.

Abstract

Asprosin associated with insulin resistance is a newly discovered peptide hormone. The peptide promotes hepatic glucose production. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic disorder. Insulin resistance plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of the disease. The aim of this study was to discover the association between insulin resistance and asprosin in women with PCOS. We recruited 78 subjects with PCOS and 78 age-matched and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls into this cross-sectional study. Circulating asprosin levels were validated using ELISA method. We also determined metabolic and hormonal parameters of the involved subjects. We found that circulating asprosin levels were elevated in women with PCOS with respect to controls. Asprosin levels showed a positive correlation with insulin resistance, BMI, and free androgen index (FAI). Moreover, subjects with the highest tertile of asprosin levels represented increased odds of having PCOS as compared to those subjects with the lowest tertile asprosin levels. Increased asprosin levels resulted to high possibility of having PCOS risk associated with insulin resistance.

Keywords: Polycystic ovary syndrome; asprosin; body mass index; insulin resistance.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose
  • Body Mass Index*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Fibrillin-1
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology*
  • Microfilament Proteins / blood*
  • Peptide Fragments / blood*
  • Peptide Hormones / blood*
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / blood*
  • Testosterone / blood
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • FBN1 protein, human
  • Fibrillin-1
  • Insulin
  • Microfilament Proteins
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Peptide Hormones
  • Testosterone