β-glucuronidase activity is associated with carbohydrate metabolism but not with androgen status in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between β-glucuronidase and androgen levels in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The connection between β-glucuronidase, the abundance of selected gut bacteria, carbohydrate metabolism, and diet quality was also determined.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 56 women with a mean age of 29.14 ± 5.11 y and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 34.15 ± 5.72 kg/m². Anthropometrical parameters, fecal β-glucosidase activity, and selected food frequency intake were measured.

Results: Women with better quality diets, apart from lower BMI and better carbohydrate metabolism parameters, had more abundant Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Akkermansia muciniphila. Two-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT-2h-glu; mg/dL) was the main predictor of β-glucuronidase activity and there was no relationship between β-glucuronidase activity and androgen levels. Non-Healthy Diet Index-14 (nHDI-14) was the main predictor for A. muciniphila, Bifidobacteriu. longum, and F. prausnitzii abundance. QUICKI was a significant predictor of A. muciniphila abundance and OGTT-2h-glu was a significant predictor of F. prausnitzii abundance.

Conclusion: There was no relationship between β-glucuronidase activity and androgen levels in overweight and obese women with PCOS, but β-glucuronidase activity may be an important factor in carbohydrate metabolism. Modulation of the abundances of F. prausnitzii, A. muciniphila, and B. longum using special diets should thus be considered a promising intervention.

Keywords: Microbiome; Obesity; Polycystic ovary syndrome; β-glucuronidase.