Circulating levels of Meteorin-like protein in polycystic ovary syndrome: A case-control study

Abstract

Patients diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at high risk of developing a myriad of endocrinologic and metabolic derailments. Moreover, PCOS is a leading cause of habitual abortion, also known as recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Meteorin-like protein (Metrnl) is a newly discovered adipokine with the potential to counteract the metaflammation. This study aimed at determining the associations of serum Metrnl levels with homocysteine, hs-CRP, and some components of metabolic syndrome in PCOS-RPL and infertile PCOS patients.This case-control study was conducted in 120 PCOS patients (60 PCOS-RPL and 60 infertile) and 60 control. Serum hs-CRP and homocysteine were assessed using commercial kits, while adiponectin, Metrnl, FSH, LH, free testosterone and insulin levels were analyzed using ELISA technique. Serum Metrnl levels were found to be lower in PCOS patients when compared to controls (67.98 ± 26.66 vs. 96.47 ± 28.72 pg/mL, P <0.001)). Furthermore, serum adiponectin levels were lower, while free testosterone, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, homocysteine, and hs-CRP were significantly higher in PCOS group compared to controls. Moreover, serum Metrnl correlated with BMI, adiponectin, and homocysteine in controls, and inversely correlated with FBG, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR in PCOS group and subgroups. Besides, it inversely correlated with hs-CRP in control, and PCOS group and subgroups. These findings revealed a possible role of Metrnl in the pathogenesis of PCOS and RPL. Nevertheless, there is a necessity for future studies to prove this concept.

Progress of Adipokines in the Female Reproductive System: A Focus on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

“…Two case-control studies revealed lower serum Metrnl levels in PCOS patients than in normal controls, contrary to the level change of IR markers, FSH, and an independent correlation between Metrnl and PCOS ( 67 , 68 ). A study from Iran found that serum levels of Metrnl in the infertile PCOS (PCOS-inf) and PCOS with recurrent pregnancy loss (PCOS-RPL) subgroups were significantly lower than in the control group, which remained significant after adjustment for confounding factors but disappeared when compared between the PCOS subgroups.…”

Association of leptin G2548A and leptin receptor Q223R polymorphisms and their serum levels with infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss in Iranian women with polycystic ovary syndrome

“…The clinical characteristics and biochemical parameters of the study population are shown in Table 1 as reported in previous studies [ 35 , 36 ]. Statistically significant difference was observed between the PCOS, PCOS-infertile, PCOS-RPL women and non-PCOS groups based on age, BMI, insulin and Free T. The levels of TG and LH in the PCOS patients were significantly higher than in the non-PCOS women.…”

Plasma Complement C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein 15 concentration is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome

“…Venous blood was collected from each subject at the early follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. The subjects previously participated in our studies, and some of the data have been used in recent publications [ 28 , 31 , 32 ].…”

“…The study included 120 subjects diagnosed with PCOS, subdivided into 60 PCOS with Recurrent pregnancy loss (PCOS-RPL) and 60 infertile PCOS (PCOS-Inf) and 60 healthy fertile controls, aged 20–40 years with an average of 29.56 ± 4.14 years (published data) [ 28 , 31 , 32 ]. The inclusion criterion included PCOS diagnosis based on the 2003 Rotterdam Criteria [ 33 ], with the exclusion of conditions such as hyperprolactinemia, thyroid diseases, premature ovarian failure, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing’s syndrome, and adrenal tumors [ 31 ]. Subjects allocated to the PCOS-RPL subgroup are defined as those who simultaneously had more than two consecutive abortions earlier than their 20 th week of gestation [ 34 ].…”