Influence of obesity on atherogenic dyslipidemia in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Background: Obesity is known to underlie, at least partially, dyslipidemia in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but it is unclear whether PCOS status per se increases the risk of alterations of lipoprotein subfractions, which differ in size and atherogenic potential. Our objective was to evaluate whether PCOS influences lipoprotein profile and LDL and HDL subfractions and to study the impact of obesity on these parameters.

Materials and methods: This was a case-control study conducted in an academic medical centre. The study population consisted of 54 women of fertile age with PCOS and 60 controls adjusted for age and BMI. Biochemical lipid profile and LDL and HDL lipoprotein subfractions (measured using Lipoprint System).

Results: Lean PCOS women exhibited lower HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein AI levels than controls, although these differences were not associated with alterations of lipoprotein subfractions. All obese subjects, whether PCOS or controls, displayed lipid parameters typical of atherogenic dyslipidemia, although the former group had lower levels of large HDL, higher levels of small HDL subfractions and a higher percentage of VLDL than the latter. These differences were associated with a greater prevalence of non-A LDL pattern (25.0%) in obese PCOS subjects than in obese controls (4.3%).

Conclusions: PCOS does not constitute an additional risk factor for cardiovascular disease in lean women, but leads to a lipid profile characteristic of atherogenic dyslipidemia and an altered pattern of lipoprotein subfraction when associated with obesity.