title: Neopterin: a promising marker for the inflammation in polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several markers of low-grade chronic inflammation are altered in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Neopterin (NEO) is a marker of celullar immunity, and oxidative stress, mainly produced by activated macrophages. We aimed to evaluate the NEO levels in PCOS patients and correlate them with antropometric and biochemical parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study groups consisted of 69 women with PCOS and 46 healthy controls. Both groups were divided into two subgroups according to their body mass index (BMI): <25 = normoweight, >25 = overweight. The clinical and biochemical parameters and serum NEO levels were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Circulating levels of NEO were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in women with PCOS (normoweight: 15.9 ± 4.7 nmol/l; overweight 13.3 ± 8.1 nmol/l) compared to controls (normoweight: 8.6 ± 2.0 nmol/l; overweight 9.2 ± 1.8 nmol/l) regardless of their weight classes. Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (p < 0.05), free and total testosterone (p < 0.001) were significantly elevated in women with PCOS compared to controls after controlling for the effect of obesity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Circulating NEO level s are elevated in PCOS independent of body mass index supporting the suggestion of PCOS is a low-grade chronic inflammatory state.
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Gulhane Military Medical Faculty, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey. ialanbay@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alanbay
authors.forename: Cihangir
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mutlu Ercan
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Coksuer
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sakinci
authors.forename: Kazim Emre
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Karasahin
authors.forename: Ozlem
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.forename: Halil
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yaman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D019798:Neopterin / Q000097:blood*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019798:Neopterin