Circulating bile acid profile characteristics in PCOS patients and the role of bile acids in predicting the pathogenesis of PCOS

Jie Yu; Yi Zhang; Yuchen Zhu; Yushan Li; Siyu Lin; Wei Liu; Tao Tao

doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1239276

Circulating bile acid profile characteristics in PCOS patients and the role of bile acids in predicting the pathogenesis of PCOS

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Aug 24:14:1239276. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1239276. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Jie Yu¹, Yi Zhang¹, Yuchen Zhu¹, Yushan Li¹, Siyu Lin¹, Wei Liu¹, Tao Tao¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.

Abstract

Background: The metabolic profile of bile acids and their potential role as biomarkers in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have not been thoroughly characterized. Assessing their predictive value for PCOS is of significant importance.

Methods: In this study, we enrolled 408 women with PCOS and 204 non-PCOS controls. The serum bile acid profile was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS). We analyzed the differences in serum bile acid profiles between PCOS patients using the OPLS-DA model. Additionally, we examined the relationship between bile acid profiles and parameters related to glucose metabolism and hyperandrogenism. ROC analysis was employed to identify potential biomarkers for PCOS pathogenesis. XGboost was utilized for cross-validation.

Results: The bile acid profile was found to be altered in PCOS patients. Specifically, the primary and secondary unconjugated bile acid fractions were significantly higher in the PCOS population. We identified five bile acid metabolite candidates that exhibited the most significant differences between PCOS and non-PCOS controls. DCA was associated with deposition index, fasting and postprandial insulin but was influenced by testosterone. CDCA and LCA combined with testosterone showed potential as biomarkers for the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Conclusion: The circulating bile acid profile undergoes changes in PCOS. DCA is associated with deposition index, fasting and postprandial insulin and its level is influenced by testosterone. CDCA and LCA combined with testosterone have the potential to serve as biomarkers for the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Keywords: HPLC/MS; OPLS-DA model; PCOS; bile acid; biomarker.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Bile Acids and Salts
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
Female
Humans
Insulin
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome* / diagnosis
Testosterone

Substances

Testosterone
Bile Acids and Salts
Insulin

Grants and funding

This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82170807), National Nature Promotion Project, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (RJTJ23-ZD-005) and Bethune Charitable Foundation (J202103E006).