title: Soluble platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule (sPECAM)-1 is increased in polycystic ovary syndrome and related to endothelial dysfunction.
abstract: Striking evidence indicates endothelial impairment in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) but the mechanisms linking PCOS status to cardiovascular risk remain elusive. Platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM)-1 is a soluble (s) signaling molecule involved in inflammation and angiogenesis with predictive value for endothelial dysfunction in patients at risk. In a prospective, controlled study, sPECAM-1 levels and the relationships to metabolic, inflammatory and vascular PCOS traits were evaluated in 26 patients and 29-age- and body mass index-matched controls. To assess endothelial injury, carotid artery intimae-media thickness (CIMT) and brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatation (FMD) were employed. Of the 26 women with PCOS, 25 completed a six-month metformin combined with ethinylestradiol 0.3 mg/drospirenone 3 mg therapy. Soluble PECAM-1 levels were increased in PCOS (p = 0.018 vs. Controls) and significantly decreased at follow-up (p = 0.0002). Smoking and weight had no effect on sPECAM-1 dynamics. In both univariate and multivariate analysis, basal sPECAM-1 was inversely related to FMD (r = -0.311, p = 0.021) but not CIMT. To conclude, sPECAM-1 is increased in PCOS, an effect reversed by combined metformin and anti-androgenic contraceptive therapy. Elevated sPECAM-1 contributes to endothelial dysfunction however further studies are inquired to assess its relevance as biomarker and potential therapeutic target in PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Romania. c_e_georgescu@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Carmen Emanuela
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Pepene
mesh_terms: D000736:Androstenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012102:Reproductive Control Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014664:Vasodilation; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000736:Androstenes; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D012102:Reproductive Control Agents; C534342:drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol combination; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D008687:Metformin