Association between Biomarkers of Low-grade Inflammation and Sex Hormones in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have higher circulating levels of C-reactive protein, but the relationship between inflammation and endocrine function in PCOS remains poorly understood. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between low-grade inflammation and sex hormones in women with PCOS.

DESIGN AND PATIENTS:

A comprehensive panel of biomarkers of inflammation was measured in serum of 63 women with PCOS using proximity extension assay technology. Associations of 65 biomarkers with sex hormones were assessed without and with adjustment for age and body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS:

In the unadjusted analysis, 20 biomarkers were positively correlated with 17-OH-progesterone (17-OH-P), 14 with prolactin and 6 with free testosterone, whereas inverse associations were found for 16 biomarkers with sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), 6 with luteinizing hormone (LH) and 6 with estrogen (all p<0.05). Among the positive associations, correlations were mainly found for five chemokines (CXCL11, CCL4, MCP-4/CCL13, CXCL5, CXCL6) and for VEGF-A, LAP-TGFβ1, TNFSF14 and MMP-1. Inverse associations with sex hormones were mainly present for two chemokines (CXCL1, MCP-2/CCL8), CDCP1, CST5 and CSF-1. Adjustment for age and BMI reduced the number of biomarker associations for SHBG and estrogen, but had hardly any impact on associations with 17-OH-P, prolactin, free testosterone and LH.

CONCLUSION:

Women with PCOS feature BMI-independent associations between biomarkers of inflammation and certain sex steroid and hypophyseal hormones. Most of these inflammation-related biomarkers were chemokines, which may be relevant as potential mediators of the increased cardiometabolic risk of women with PCOS.

• Authors: Erifili Hatziagelaki, Vasilios Pergialiotis, Julia M Kannenberg, Eftihios Trakakis, Anastasia Tsiavou, Daniel F Markgraf, Maren Carstensen-Kirberg, Giovanni Pacini, Michael Roden, George Dimitriadis, Christian Herder
• Journal: Experimental and clinical endocrinology & diabetes : official journal, German Society of Endocrinology [and] German Diabetes Association (Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes) Vol. 128 Issue 11 Pg. 723-730 (Nov 2020) ISSN: 1439-3646 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 31461765 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Thieme. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Chemokines
• Estrogens
• Gonadal Steroid Hormones
• SHBG protein, human
• Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
• Testosterone
• Progesterone
• Prolactin
• Luteinizing Hormone

Topics

• Adult
• Body Mass Index
• Chemokines (blood)
• Estrogens (blood)
• Female
• Gonadal Steroid Hormones (blood)
• Humans
• Inflammation (blood)
• Luteinizing Hormone (blood)
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (blood)
• Progesterone (blood)
• Prolactin (blood)
• Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (metabolism)
• Testosterone (blood)