Inflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Parameters in PCOS Patients Depending on Body Mass Index: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: it has been suggested that chronic low-grade inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). According to previous studies, it remains unclear which cytokines influence the development of this syndrome and whether their increase is associated with the presence of excess weight/obesity or is an independent factor. The aim of our research was to determine the parameters of chronic inflammation in women with PCOS in comparison with healthy women in the normal weight and the overweight subgroups. Methods: This case-control study included 44 patients with PCOS (19 women with a body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m² and 25 women with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) and 45 women without symptoms of PCOS (22 women with a BMI < 25 kg/m² and 23 women with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²). Thirty-two cytokines were analyzed in the plasma of the participants using Immunology multiplex assay HCYTA-60K-PX48 (Merck Life Science, LLC, Germany). Results: Cytokines: interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 RA), IL-2, IL-6, IL-17 E, IL-17 A, IL-18, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 α) were increased in women with PCOS compared to controls, both in lean and overweight/obese subgroups (p < 0.05). Moreover, only lean women with PCOS had higher levels of IL-1 alpha, IL-4, IL-9, IL-12, IL-13, IL-15, tumor necrosis factor (TNF- α) alpha and beta, soluble CD40 and its ligand (SCD40L), fractalkine (FKN), monocyte-chemotactic protein 3 (MCP-3), and MIP-1 β compared to the control group (p < 0.05). IL-22 was increased in the combined group of women with PCOS (lean and overweight/obese) compared to the control group (p = 0.012). Conclusion: Chronic low-grade inflammation is an independent factor affecting the occurrence of PCOS and does not depend on the presence of excess weight/obesity. For the first time, we obtained data on the increase in such inflammatory parameters as IL-9, MCP-3, and MIP-1α in women with PCOS.

A Cross-Sectional Exploratory Study of Cardiovascular Risk Biomarkers in Non-Obese Women with and without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Association with Vitamin D

“…Elevation in macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP-1α) was also seen in PCOS, which accords with the increased levels of MIP-1α reported previously in women with PCOS [ 38 ]. MIP-1α/CCL3 is an inflammatory chemokine produced by cells during infection or inflammation.…”

“…Two CVRPs correlated with 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 in the control cohort. The CVRPs that were elevated and those that were correlated to vitamin D in PCOS were associated with inflammation and the immune response, as evidenced by STRING protein–protein interactions; this would accord with the chronic low-level inflammation that may be involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS [ 37 ], and that is not influenced by the presence of excessive weight or obesity [ 38 ]. These results would suggest that the alterations in CVRPs are both an inherent feature of PCOS that are likely indicative of early inflammation as well as due to changes in vitamin D metabolites.…”

Thyroid function and polycystic ovary syndrome: a Mendelian randomization study

“…Elena Vasyukova et al examined the serum levels of cytokines in PCOS patients and age-matched females without PCOS. As a result, the serum concentration of CD40 in PCOS patients was significantly higher than that in controls (27). Multiple studies have shown that CD40 was significantly highly expressed in patients with hyperthyroidism and contributed to GD pathogenesis in several pathways (28,29).…”

RNA editing landscape of adipose tissue in polycystic ovary syndrome provides insight into the obesity-related immune responses

“…These results were consistent with previous studies that obesity could induce chronic low-grade inflammation in PCOS patients ( 36 ). One previous study showed that IL-12 and TNFα levels in the plasma were increased in PCOS patients compared to controls ( 37 ), and another study revealed the correlation between follicular fluid IL-12 levels and increased T-lymphocyte numbers in the PCOS patients ( 38 ). TNF signaling is known to have an essential role in the pathogenesis of PCOS.…”