title: Detailed characterisation of circulatory nitric oxide and free radical indices--is there evidence for abnormal cardiovascular homeostasis in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess circulating biochemical indices of endothelial function and nitro-oxidative stress in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen women with PCOS and eighteen age- and body mass index-matched healthy volunteers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nitric oxide (NO) metabolite levels were assessed by chemiluminescence. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy with spin trapping was used to assess oxidative stress ex vivo and in vitro. Antioxidant capacity was measured using oxygen radical absorbance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Biochemical indices of endothelial function, including NO metabolites, lipid-derived radicals and antioxidant capacity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma NO metabolites were similar in the two groups (nitrite: 257±116 nmol/l [PCOS], 261±135 nmol/l [controls] P=0.93; nitrate: 27±7 μmol/l [PCOS], 26±6 μmol/l [controls] P=0.89). Alkoxyl free radicals (lipid-derived) were detected as the dominant species, but levels were not different between women with PCOS and controls whether measured directly ex vivo (median 7.2 [range 0.17-16.73]e6 arbitrary units [a.u.] and 7.2 [1.7-11.9]e6 a.u., respectively, P=0.57) or when stimulated in vitro to test radical generation capacity (1.23 [0.3-5.62]e7 a.u. and 1.1 [0.48-15.7]e7 a.u. respectively, P=0.71). In regression analysis, visceral fat area was independently associated with in vitro oxidative potential (β=0.6, P=0.002). Total plasma antioxidant capacity (94±30% [PCOS], 79±24% [controls], P=0.09) and plasma hydroperoxides (7.5±4 μmol/l [PCOS], 6.7±5 μmol/l [controls], P=0.21) were not different between groups. However, lipophilic antioxidant capacity was lower in women with PCOS compared with controls (92±32 and 125±48%, respectively, P=0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Young overweight women with PCOS display a reduced lipophilic antioxidant capacity compared with healthy volunteers, but no change in circulating free radicals or nitro-oxidative stress.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Udiawar
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Blundell
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Rees
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D004727:Endothelium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000097:blood*; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000097:blood*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D009569:Nitric Oxide
keywords: Antioxidants; free radicals; insulin sensitivity; nitric oxide; oxidative stress; polycystic ovary syndrome; reactive oxygen species; subcutaneous fat; visceral fat