Serum retinol-binding protein 4 levels in nonobese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether there was a difference in serum retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) levels between subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and those with a healthy regular menstrual cycle and, in addition, to correlate serum RBP4 levels with a variety of parameters.


METHODS
Clinical study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
A total of 74 nonobese women were evaluated. Thirty-seven had PCOS, whereas the remaining 37 served as control subjects.


METHODS
Serum RBP4 levels were analyzed using ELISA.


METHODS
Serum levels of FSH, LH, TSH, E(2), T, insulin, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and RBP4.


RESULTS
The women with PCOS had higher levels of serum RBP4, waist-to-hip ratio, LH, T, insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Logistic regression analyses revealed a significant association between odds ratio (OR) values of PCOS and both T (OR = 1.125; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.050-1.205), and cholesterol levels (OR = 1.029; 95% CI 1.004-1.056). Age and triglycerides were significantly correlated to serum RBP4 levels by multiple linear regression analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study has shown that [1] elevated RBP4 levels might arise from triglyceride metabolism, and that RBP4 levels might not be influenced by PCOS itself. [2] RBP4 might not be a useful marker of insulin resistance in subjects with PCOS.
Chan
Te-Fu
TF
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Tsai
Yung-Chieh
YC
Chiu
Pu-Rong
PR
Chen
Yi-Ling
YL
Lee
Chien-Hung
CH
Tsai
Eing-Mei
EM
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; C101326:RBP4 protein, human; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma; D014280:Triglycerides; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin; D002784:Cholesterol