An Insight into the Impact of Serum Tellurium, Thallium, Osmium and Antimony on the Antioxidant/Redox Status of PCOS Patients: A Comprehensive Study

Abstract

Humans exploit heavy metals for various industrial and economic reasons. Although some heavy metals are essential for normal physiology, others such as Tellurium (Te), Thallium (TI), antimony (Sb), and Osmium (Os) are highly toxic and can lead to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a common female factor of infertility. The current study was undertaken to determine levels of the heavy metals TI, Te, Sb and Os in serum of PCOS females (n = 50) compared to healthy non-PCOS controls (n = 56), and to relate such levels with Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), activity of key antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress marker levels and redox status. PCOS serum samples demonstrated significantly higher levels of TI, Te, Sb and Os and diminished TAC compared to control (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was significant inhibition of SOD, CAT and several glutathione-related enzyme activities in sera of PCOS patients with concurrent elevations in superoxide anions, hydrogen and lipid peroxides, and protein carbonyls, along with disrupted glutathione homeostasis compared to those of controls (p < 0.001 for all parameters). Additionally, a significant negative correlation was found between the elevated levels of heavy metals and TAC, indicative of the role of metal-induced oxidative stress as a prominent phenomenon associated with the pathophysiology of the underlying PCOS. Data obtained in the study suggest toxic metals as risk factors causing PCOS, and thus protective measures should be considered to minimize exposure to prevent such reproductive anomalies.

Heavy Metals and Essential Elements in Association with Oxidative Stress in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome—A Systematic Review

“…Increased serum levels of As in a PCOS population (mean level 2.68 ± 0.50 ppb vs. 1.95 ± 0.34 ppb, respectively) were found in a study by Abudawood et al [68], but not in a study by Kirmizi et al (6.5 (2.5-10) vs. 6.4 (3.7-14.1) ppb, respectively) [66]. Higher serum levels of Sb in PCOS women were found in two studies (3.1 (2.4-13.3) vs. 2.9 (1.8-4.7) ppb and 2.5 ± 0.23 vs. 1.89 ± 0.31 ppb, respectively) [66,69]. Women with PCOS also had elevated serum levels of Cd (1.2 (0.7-6) vs. 0.7 (0.4-4.5) ppb and 1.75 ± 0.44 vs. 0.59 ± 0.22 ppb, respectively) [66,68], Pb (23.1 (11.6-90.1) vs. 15.5 (9.3-56.7) ppb and 83.19 ± 14.4 vs. 36.69 ± 6.57 ppb, respectively) [66,68], Hg (2.2 (0.6-3.8) vs. 1.3 (0.4-2.5) ppb and 14.55 ± 2.99 vs. 5.0 ± 1.08 ppb, respectively) [66,68] and Tl, Te and Os (12.69 ± 1.05 vs. 1.41 ± 0.4 ppb, 12.33 ± 1.31 vs. 1.32 ± 0.46 ppb and 13.0 ± 0.97 ppb vs. 1.51 ± 0.45 ppb, respectively) [69].…”

“…Additionally, As and Pb were negatively correlated with SOD levels [68]. In another study by Abudawood et al, the PCOS group had decreased serum levels of TAC that appeared to be negatively correlated with Te, Tl, Sb and Os [69].…”

“…In this literature review, three studies studied an association of heavy metals with OS in PCOS women when compared to controls [66,68,69]. Increased serum levels of As in a PCOS population (mean level 2.68 ± 0.50 ppb vs. 1.95 ± 0.34 ppb, respectively) were found in a study by Abudawood et al [68], but not in a study by Kirmizi et al (6.5 (2.5-10) vs. 6.4 (3.7-14.1) ppb, respectively) [66].…”