Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of childbearing age. The criteria required for the diagnosis identify various phenotypes, with different reproductive, metabolic, and cardiovascular (CV) risk characteristics. Emerging evidence links adipocyte-secreted hormones as candidates in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction in PCOS, independently of additional risk factors. The aim of this review was to collect, analyze, and qualitatively resynthesize evidence on biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction (visfatin, vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], matrix metalloproteinase 9 [MMP-9]) in women with PCOS. Women with PCOS exhibit (a) increased plasma visfatin concentrations compared with controls with a similar body mass index; (b) increased VEGF production along with chronic, mild inflammation; and (c) increased MMP-9 concentrations, which might be related to either excessive CV risk or abnormalities of ovarian extracellular matrix remodeling, multiple cyst formation, follicular atresia, and chronic anovulation. As PCOS has been associated with CV risk, early identification of endothelial dysfunction is clinically relevant.
Keywords: endothelium; matrix metalloproteinase 9; polycystic ovary syndrome; vascular endothelial growth factor; visfatin.