Status of Serum Copper, Magnesium, and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

This study evaluates serum copper and magnesium and total antioxidant capacity levels in PCOS patients. In this regard, the probable association of copper and magnesium with total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was investigated. In total, 150 women (60 PCOS patients and 90 healthy subjects) participated in this case-control study. PCOS was diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria (2003). Serum Cu, Mg, Ca, TAC, insulin levels, and insulin resistance indices were determined. Insulin was measured using ELISA methods. Serum Cu and Mg levels were measured by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and the Xylidyl Blue method respectively. The correlations between the parameters were analyzed using the Spearman correlation test. Serum Cu level was significantly higher while TAC was significantly lower in the PCOS patients than those in the controls (p = 0.019 and p = 0.002 respectively). No significant difference was detected between the two groups in terms of serum Mg and Ca levels and Ca/Mg ratio. In insulin-resistant PCOS subjects, there was a negative correlation between Mg levels and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (r = - 0.449, p = 0.006) but a positive correlation between Mg levels and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (r = 0.480, p = 0.003). A negative correlation also existed between Mg levels and TAC in non-insulin-resistant PCOS patients (r = - 0.407, p = 0.04). According to the results, copper and magnesium seem to contribute to oxidative stress and insulin resistance in PCOS patients. Therefore, to prevent long-term metabolic complications in PCOS women, it is recommended that these elements be routinely monitored. Also, significantly lower levels of serum TAC in PCOS patients than in normal women may suggest increased oxidative stress in such patients.

Evaluation of vitamin D status and its correlation with oxidative stress markers in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: There is little evidence about antioxidant properties of vitamin D. Recent studies suggest that oxidative stress may play a major role in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but the association of vitamin D with oxidative stress is still not known in PCOS. OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D and oxidative stress markers in PCOS group compared to control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 PCOS women (20-40 yr old) and 90 healthy women as control group were participated in this case-control study. Fasting serum level of 25(OH) D, glucose, insulin, calcium, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), also homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and fasting glucose to insulin ratio (FGIR) were measured. RESULTS: It was found that the mean of serum 25(OH)D was lower in the PCOS group (10.76±4.17) than in the control group (12.07±6.26) but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.125). Fasting insulin, HOMA-IR and MDA were significantly higher in the PCOS patients as compared to the controls, whereas PC level did not differ for the two groups (p=0.156). No significant correlations were found between 25(OH)D levels and oxidative stress markers (MDA and PC). CONCLUSION: The findings indicated no significant differences in the serum 25(OH)D levels between the PCOS patients and the matched controls. Also, no correlation was found between the serum vitamin D levels and oxidative stress markers in both groups.