The presence of antibodies to oxidative modified proteins in serum from polycystic ovary syndrome patients

Abstract

SummaryPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 5-10% of women of reproductive age. Free radicals, as a product of oxidative stress, impair cells and tissue properties related to human fertility. These free radicals, together with the oxidized molecules, may have a cytotoxic or deleterious effects on sperm and oocytes, on early embryo development or on the endometrium. Aldehyde-modified proteins are highly immunogenic and circulating autoantibodies to new epitopes, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), may affect the reproductive system. Autoantibodies or elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in serum are often associated with inflammatory response. The purpose of this work is to investigate whether PCOS women show increased levels of oxidized proteins (protein-MDA) and anti-endometrial antibodies (AEA) in their sera, compared with control patients, and to determine whether AEA specificity is related to oxidized protein derivatives. Sera from 31 women [10 patients with PCOS (PCOS group) and 21 women with male factor of infertility (control group)] were chosen from patients attending for infertility. Anti-endometrial antibodies were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with an endometrial cell line (RL-95). Antibodies against MDA modified human serum albumin (HSA-MDA) were also determined by ELISA. Oxidized proteins (protein-MDA) in serum were determined by a colorimetric assay. Patients with PCOS have significantly higher levels of AEA and anti-HSA-MDA, as well as oxidized proteins (protein-MDA) in serum than control patients. For the first time, we describe an autoimmune response in PCOS patients, in terms of AEA. The evidence of protein-MDA in the serum of these patients, together with the increased antibody reactivity to MDA-modified proteins (HSA-MDA) in vitro , supports the conclusion that oxidative stress may be one of the important causes for abnormal endometrial environment with poor embryo receptivity in PCOS patients.

The measurement of urinary 8-hidroxy-2'deoxyguanosine level with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

“…According to Loft and his colleagues, urinary 8-OHdG level is 50% higher in smokers than in healthy ones (25) . Also, it was determined that 8-OHdG level increases in parallel with the number of cigarettes smoked daily (24) .…”

“…Many reasons may be available for increased 8-OHdG level in smokers. That the cellular respiration rate is 10-15% higher than non-smokers leads to formation of free radicals and DNA damage increases following antioxidant consumption (25) . The observation of nearly seven-times more differences in 8-OHdG levels obtained from leukocytes DNA of nonsmokers leads to idea that genetic factors and lifestyle may have effect on the increase of 8-OHdG level.…”

Effect of Ubiquinol on Serum Reproductive Hormones of Amenorrhic Patients

“…Low antioxidants and high reactive oxygen species (ROS) are observed with age, and also in sera and peritoneal fluid of women with idiopathic infertility, and elevated follicular fluid homocysteine was observed in women with endometriosis [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Oocyte ROS exposure associated with intracellular signaling which induces angiogenic response, resumption of meiosis I at puberty, decreased fertilization and blastocyst development, decline in ovarian function, decreased steroidogenesis [17][18][19][20][21] and inhibit thecal interstitial cell proliferation in corpus luteal function [22].…”

The ımpact of follicular fluid ıschemia-modified albumin levels on ICSI outcomes ın PCOS patients

“…Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine abnormality of reproductive age women and has a prevalence of approximately 18% [1]. PCOS is a common cause of infertility associated with ovarian dysfunction, metabolic and hormonal impairments.…”

“…The pathogenesis of PCOS is complex and its underlying basis remains unclear. Several characteristics and associations of PCOS contribute to decreased antioxidant concentrations, and thus PCOS is considered as an oxidative state [1,2].…”