Decreased levels of spexin are associated with hormonal and metabolic disturbance in subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Spexin, a newly identified peptide hormone, is involved in energy metabolism and the hypothalamic gonadal axis. We aimed to compare the altered levels of spexin in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to find out if there was any association between spexin levels and hormonal-metabolic parameters in women with PCOS. Eighty subjects with PCOS and 80 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched subjects with a normal menstrual cycle were enrolled into the current case control study. Spexin levels were measured by ELISA. Spexin levels were significantly lower in PCOS subjects. Spexin showed a negative correlation with insulin resistance, BMI and androgens in PCOS women. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of having PCOS was associated with low levels of spexin. Decreased spexin levels were inversely associated with androgens and unfavourable metabolic profiles in PCOS subjects, suggesting that the inter-related roles of spexin are in the different metabolic and hormonal pathways of PCOS.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subjects? Spexin is a newly identified peptide hormone which plays various roles in regulating energy metabolism and the hypothalamic gonadal axis. PCOS is a reproductive and metabolic disorder associated with insulin resistance and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis disruptions.What do the results of this study add? Decreased levels of spexin were inversely association with androgens and unfavourable metabolic profiles in PCOS women. The risk of having PCOS was increased in parallel with decreased spexin levels.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Spexin may play numerous roles in the pathophysiological processes of PCOS. To find the exact role of spexin over PCOS development, detailed investigations are required.

Association of decreased myonectin levels with metabolic and hormonal disturbance in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Myonectin is a myokine involving in glucose and lipid metabolisms. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic and reproductive disorder associated with insulin resistance. Our aims were to discover whether myonectin levels were altered in PCOS women comparing to controls and to determine the link of myonectin with hormonal-metabolic parameters in PCOS women. The current research was designed as a case-control study. Seventy-two subjects with PCOS and 72 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched subjects as controls were enrolled into the study. Circulating myonectin levels were measured by ELISA. Myonectin levels were significantly lower in PCOS subjects compared to controls (6.77 ± 1.96 vs. 9.14 ± 2.87 ng/ml, p< .001). Myonectin exhibited an inverse association with BMI, insulin resistance, free androgen index (FAI) and triglycerides whereas it showed a positive association with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in women with PCOS. Logistic regression analysis revealed that decreased myonectin levels were parallel with increased probability of having PCOS risk. Decreased myonectin levels were associated with metabolic and hormonal disturbances in PCOS women, suggesting that myonectin may play a role in pathophysiology of PCOS.

Neudesin: a neuropeptide hormone decreased in subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Neudesin is a neuropeptide hormone involves in female reproduction system via promoting effects of progesterone. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic and reproductive disorder associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis abnormalities and impaired negative feedback mechanism of progesterone upon gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion. Our aims were to discover whether neudesin levels were altered in PCOS women comparing to controls and to determine the link of neudesin with hormonal-metabolic parameters in PCOS women. The current research was designed as a case-control study. Sixty-eight subjects with PCOS and 67 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched subjects as controls were enrolled into the study. Circulating neudesin levels were measured by ELISA. Neudesin levels were significantly lower in PCOS subjects compared to controls (4.07 ± 1.22 vs. 6.02 ± 2.07 ng/ml, p < .001). Neudesin exhibited an inversely independent link with luteinizing hormone, free-androgen index, and BMI whereas it showed a positively independent link with progesterone in women with PCOS. Logistic regression analysis revealed that decreased neudesin levels were parallel with increased risk of having PCOS. Decreased neudesin levels were associated with hormonal disturbances in PCOS women, suggesting that neudesin may play a role in pathophysiology of PCOS.

Endocan is a predictor of increased cardiovascular risk in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PURPOSE: Endocan is a proteoglycan secreted mainly from endothelial cells. It has been implicated that there is a link between endocan and endothelial dysfunction. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a reproductive and metabolic disease associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. The aims of this study were to ascertain whether circulating endocan levels are altered in women with PCOS, and whether there is an association between endocan and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 80 women with PCOS and 80 age- and BMI-matched controls without PCOS. Circulating endocan levels were measured using ELISA. Metabolic, hormonal parameters and cIMT were determined. 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (2-h OGTT) was performed on all women. RESULTS: Circulating endocan levels were significantly elevated in women with PCOS compared with controls (5.99 ± 2.37 vs. 3.66 ± 1.79 ng/ml, P < 0.001). Endocan levels positively correlated with BMI, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), free androgen index (FAI), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and cIMT in both PCOS and control groups. Endocan levels did not correlate with fasting blood glucose, 2-h OGTT, A1C and lipid parameters. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that endocan is an independent predictor for cIMT (ß = 0.128, 95% CI = 0.118-0.138, P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Circulating endocan levels are significantly higher in women with PCOS and endocan is independently associated with cIMT. Elevated endocan levels can be a predictor of increased cardiovascular risk in PCOS subjects.

Relation of Decreased Circulating Sortilin Levels With Unfavorable Metabolic Profiles in Subjects With Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Sortilin, a pluripotent peptide hormone, plays a role in glucose and lipid metabolism. A link between sortilin and insulin sensitivity has been implicated. However, the clinical implications of this link remain elusive. Our aims were to investigate whether sortilin levels were altered in subjects with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (nT2DM) compared with subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and to determine whether a link exist between sortilin levels and metabolic parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 150 subjects including 75 nT2DM patients and 75 subjects with NGT who were matched in age, body mass index, and sex were enrolled into this case-control study. The circulating levels of sortilin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A 2-hour 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was used for diagnosis of T2DM. Metabolic parameters of enrolled subjects were also determined. RESULTS: The circulating levels of sortilin were found to be significantly lower in subjects with nT2DM than in controls (138.44 ± 38.39 vs. 184.93 ± 49.67 pg/mL, P < 0.001). Sortilin levels showed a negative correlation with insulin resistance and unfavorable lipid profiles, while they were positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in subjects with nT2DM. Linear regression analysis showed an independent and inverse link between sortilin and insulin resistance and unfavorable lipid profiles. Moreover, logistic regression analysis revealed that the subjects with the lowest sortilin levels had an increased risk of nT2DM compared with those subjects with the highest sortilin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased circulating levels of sortilin were associated with unfavorable metabolic profiles in subjects with nT2DM.

Increased urocortin 3 levels are associated with the risk of having type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Urocortin 3 (UCN3) is a peptide hormone playing a pivotal role in glucose and lipid metabolisms. However, its clinical implications remain unclear. Our aims were to investigate the altered levels of UCN3 in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (nT2DM) patients in comparison to subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and to determine the presence of any possible link between UCN3 levels and metabolic parameters. METHODS: Eighty nT2DM and 80 age-, body mass index (BMI)-, and gender-matched NGT subjects were enrolled into this case-control study. The circulating UCN3 levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). Metabolic parameters of enrolled subjects were also determined. A standard 75-g 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test was used for diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). RESULTS: UCN3 levels were higher in subjects with nT2DM than in controls (115.64 ± 39.26 vs 86.16 ± 22.81 pg/mL, P < .001). UCN3 levels were increased in subjects with metabolic syndrome compared to subjects without metabolic syndrome in both nT2DM and NGT groups. UCN3 levels showed a positive correlation with BMI in both groups. Moreover, UCN3 levels were positively and independently associated with insulin, fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance, 2-hour plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and triglycerides, whereas UCN3 levels were negatively and independently associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. According to logistic regression analysis, increased risk of T2DM and metabolic syndrome were parallel with the highest elevated levels of UCN3. CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of UCN3 are associated with unfavorable metabolic profiles in T2DM, indicating a potential role of UCN3 in glucose and lipid metabolisms in T2DM.

Fractalkine: an inflammatory chemokine elevated in subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PURPOSE: Fractalkine (FKN) is an inflammatory chemokine related to reproductive system and glucose metabolism. There is a link between FKN and steroidogenesis as FKN induces progesterone synthesis. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive and metabolic disorder associated with low progesterone production and insulin resistance. We aimed to explore whether women with PCOS have any difference in FKN levels compared to women without PCOS. We also focused on determination of any association between FKN levels and hormonal-metabolic parameters in women with PCOS. METHODS: The current research was designed as a case-control study. Eighty subjects with PCOS and 80 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched subjects with normal menstrual cycle were taken into the study. We measured circulating FKN levels via ELISA methods. RESULTS: Circulating FKN levels were higher in women with PCOS than controls (1.93 ± 0.61 vs. 1.22 ± 0.33 ng/ml, P< 0.001). FKN levels showed a positive correlation with body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance, inflammatory marker hs-CRP, total testosterone, and free-androgen index (FAI), whereas it showed a negative correlation with sex hormone-binding protein in women with PCOS. Linear regression analyses revealed that the link of FKN with BMI, insulin resistance, hs-CRP, and FAI was independent. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of having PCOS was associated with high levels of FKN. CONCLUSIONS: Increased FKN levels related to insulin resistance, inflammation and androgens in women with PCOS. FKN may have an inter-related role in different pathophysiologic pathways of PCOS.

Association of decreased C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein-5 levels with metabolic and hormonal disturbance in polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein-5 (CTRP5) is a novel peptide hormone involved in the metabolism of energy regulation. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is a reproductive and metabolic disorder, is associated with insulin resistance. The aim of the current study was to compare circulating levels of CTRP5 in women with and without PCOS and to investigate possible associations between CTRP5 and metabolic-hormonal parameters. Material and Methods: The present cross-sectional study contained 80 women with PCOS and 80 age and body mass index-matched women without PCOS. Circulating levels of CTRP5 were calculated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We also measured hormonal and metabolic parameters. Results: Patients with PCOS had lower levels of circulating CTRP5 compared with women without PCOS (6.90±2.64 vs 11.73±3.66 ng/mL, p<0.001). CTRP5 was negatively correlated with insulin resistance, free-androgen index, and body mass index in both the PCOS and control groups. Moreover, patients with PCOS who had insulin resistance showed lower circulating CTRP5 levels compared with those without insulin resistance. In both the control and PCOS groups, overweight subjects had lower circulating levels of CTRP5 compared with participants of normal weight. Logistic regression analyses indicated that subjects in the lowest tertile for CTRP5 level had higher risk for PCOS compared with those in the highest tertile of CTRP5. Conclusion: Decreased circulating levels of CTRP5 were associated with higher risk of PCOS, as well as having metabolic disturbance among women with PCOS.

Association of kallistatin with carotid intima-media thickness in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Kallistatin is a secreted protein that acts as a tissue kallikrein inhibitor. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and vasoprotective properties. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a reproductive and metabolic disease associated with low-grade chronic inflammation and multiple risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The aims of this study were to ascertain whether circulating kallistatin levels are altered in women with PCOS, and whether there is an association between kallistatin and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) as well as inflammatory markers high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 75 women with PCOS and 75 age- and BMI-matched controls without PCOS. Circulating kallistatin and TNF-α levels were measured using ELISA. Metabolic and hormonal parameters, hs-CRP levels and cIMT were also determined. All subjects underwent the 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (2-h OGTT). RESULTS: Circulating kallistatin levels were significantly elevated in women with PCOS compared to controls (6.31±2.09 vs. 4.79±2.26 ng/mL, P<0.001). Inflammatory markers hs-CRP and TNF-α were found to be elevated in women with PCOS. Kallistatin levels positively correlated with insulin, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), free androgen index, hs-CRP, TNF-α and cIMT in both PCOS and control groups. Kallistatin levels did not show correlation with BMI, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, 2-h OGTT or HbA1c. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that kallistatin is an independent predictor for cIMT (ß=0.131, 95% CI: 0.114-0.150, P=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Kallistatin levels may provide useful information regarding cardiovascular risk in women with PCOS.

Relationship Between Serum Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Level and Insulin Resistance, High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Visceral Fat Mass in Prediabetes.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence suggest that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) plays a vital role in glucose metabolism. We aimed to ascertain whether MIF levels are altered in subjects with prediabetes and also to determine the relationship between MIF and metabolic parameters as well as visceral fat mass. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 40 subjects with prediabetes and 40 age-, body mass index (BMI)- and sex-matched subjects with normal glucose tolerance. Circulating MIF levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Metabolic parameters of recruited subjects were evaluated. Visceral fat mass was measured using bioelectrical impedance method. RESULTS: Circulating MIF levels were found to be elevated in subjects with prediabetes compared to controls (26.46 ± 16.98 versus 17.44 ± 11.80 ng/mL, P = 0.007). MIF positively correlated with BMI, visceral fat mass and indirect indices of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. In linear regression model, an independent association was found between MIF levels and metabolic parameters, including BMI, visceral fat mass and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the odds ratio for prediabetes was higher in subjects in the highest quartile of MIF compared to those in the lowest quartile, after adjusting for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Increased MIF levels are associated with the elevation of prediabetic risk.