Objective: In order to gain deeper insight into molecular mechanisms underlying oxidative stress (OS) and its relation to insulin resistance and hyperandrogenemia, plasma markers of OS and antioxidant glutathione-peroxidase (GPX) activity were studied in non-obese polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women via the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp.
Design: In 36 PCOS women, plasma nitrotyrosine, thiol groups, uric acid (UA) and GPX activity were studied during OGTT and clamp. Insulin resistance was assessed by the homeostasis model (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), Matsuda insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and M/I ratio.
Results: In PCOS patients, significant positive correlations were obtained for UA with testosterone (r=0.385, p=0.039) as well as indices of insulin resistance. Acute hyperglycemia during OGTT induced alteration in both OS markers and GPX. The change in nitrotyrosine and GPX during OGTT correlated with testosterone (r=0.543, p=0.036 and r=-0.457, p=0.025, respectively). The most significant association was found between OS markers and ISI.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that non-obese PCOS women are prone to oxidative stress induced by hyperglycemia, but this seems not to be related to the direct effect of hyperinsulinemia during clamp. Oxidative stress markers correlated with indices of insulin resistance and circulating testosterone.