title: Selected markers of endothelial dysfunction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The increased incidence of cardiovascular disease in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has prompted researchers to look for indicators of early atherosclerotic changes in these patients. One of the earliest stages of atherogenesis is endothelial cell dysfunction. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of selected plasma markers of endothelial injury [E-selectin, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and von Willebrand Factor antigen (vWF:Ag)] in PCOS women before and after six months of treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  32 patients with PCOS aged 18-36 years (mean age 25.16 ± 5.80) were included in the study. The control group consisted of 20 healthy women matched for age and body mass. The levels of ET-1, vWF:Ag, E-selectin, fasting glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were assessed. In the PCOS group, all these tests were repeated after six months of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study showed higher levels of vWF:Ag (p = 0.043), E selectin (p = 0.028), insulin (p = 0.044), glucose (p = 0.036) and LDL (p = 0.006) in PCOS patients versus healthy women. A positive correlation was demonstrated between E selectin and glucose (p = 0.0001), triglycerides (p = 0.014) and uric acid (p = 0.008). vWF:Ag levels showed a positive correlation with glucose (p = 0.04) and triglycerides (p = 0.036). A positive correlation was also found between ET-1 and total cholesterol levels (p = 0.012) in PCOS women. After treatment, there was a significant reduction in E-selectin levels from baseline (p = 0.002) and an increase in the levels of HDL (p = 0.0002) and triglycerides (p = 0.033).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated levels of vWF:Ag and E selectin in PCOS women suggest endothelial dysfunction in this group of patients. Glucose and triglyceride are significant factors affecting endothelial function in PCOS.
authors: Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pathophysiology and Endocrinology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland. wandafoltyn@poczta.onet.pl
authors: Wanda
authors: W
authors: Foltyn
authors: Janusz
authors: J
authors: Strzelczyk
authors: Bogan
authors: B
authors: Marek
authors: Dariusz
authors: D
authors: Kajdaniuk
authors: Lucyna
authors: L
authors: Siemińska
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Zemczak
authors: Jolanta
authors: J
authors: Blicharz-Dorniak
authors: Beata
authors: B
authors: Kos-Kudła
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000097:blood; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019040:E-Selectin; D019332:Endothelin-1; C029417:Von Willebrand antigen; D014841:von Willebrand Factor