Role of Oxidative Stress in Obese and Nonobese PCOS Patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the oxidant-antioxidant status, endothelial dysfunction, lipid metabolism, and metabolic syndrome risk in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Materials and Methods: Forty-five obese (BMI >30 kg/m2) woman diagnosed with PCOS in the study, forty-five nonobese (BMI <30 kg/m2) PCOS diagnosis working groups, and forty-nine healthy control groups were created with patients. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels with antioxidant activities, such as SOD, GSH, GPx, and CAT activities, were measured by spectrophotometry. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the mean serum MDA level in the obese PCOS group compared to the nonobese group and the control group (p < 0.001). When the antioxidant parameters, such as SOD, GPx, GSH, and CAT, were compared with the healthy control group, nonobese, and obese PCOS groups, the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). A positive correlation was observed between MDA and BMI, triglyceride, LDL, SBP, DBP, and HOMA-IR in the PCOS patient group. Conclusion: Oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant parameters in PCOS patients were correlated with hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia findings, and we think that this oxidative stress condition may contribute to metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases in PCOS patients.

Change of the levels of trace elements and heavy metals in threatened abortion.

BACKROUND: This study aimed to investigate the impact of changes in the serum levels of trace elements and heavy metals in threatened abortion, which is a common complication in early pregnancy. Earlier studies have shown that changes in the serum levels of some trace elements and increased serum concentrations of heavy metals are associated with spontaneous abortion; however, this relationship has not been fully clarified. METHODS: The patient group consisted of 45 pregnant women diagnosed with threatened abortion. There were 40 healthy nonpregnant women in the control group. Blood samples were obtained from the patients and the healthy controls, and the concentrations of serum trace elements and heavy metals were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Statistically significant decreases were found in the serum zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg) and manganese (Mn) levels, and significant increases were found in the serum copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) levels in cases of threatened abortion in comparison to the controls (p < 0.001). However, there was no difference between the groups in terms of the serum cobalt (Co) levels (p > 0.001). CONCLUSION: Changes in the balance of some essential trace elements (especially decreases in Fe and Zn) and elevated concentrations of some toxic heavy metals in the blood may be important diagnostic and prognostic parameters for threatened abortion.