title: Lower cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript levels pose a risk for developing PCOS.
abstract: Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) is an anorectic neuropeptide abundantly expressed in the central, peripheral, and enteric nervous systems, as well as in several different endocrine cell types. Besides regulating food intake and endocrine function, it is also proposed to modulate ovarian function during follicular waves in cattle and has potent inhibitory effects on follicular development. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), presenting itself with multiple follicular ovarian cysts, is the most common endocrinological disorder among women of reproductive age. Here we aimed to investigate the association of this peptide with PCOS. Our research was designed as a case-control study, in which a total of 148 subjects (73 with PCOS and 75 age- and BMI-matched CONTROLS) were consecutively recruited. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, lipids, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, CART, and free testosterone levels were measured in all participants. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. CART levels were found to be significantly lower in patients with PCOS (PCOS: 90.77 ± 5.98 pg/ml,
  
  
  METHODS
  93.24 ± 8.17 pg/ml, p=0.038). Pearson's correlation analysis showed that CART was significantly and negatively correlated with BMI and waist circumference in both (PCOS and control) groups. In CONTROLS only, CART was positively correlated with insulin and HOMA-IR, and negatively correlated with FBG. Logistic regression analysis results are suggestive of a possible protective effect of CART against PCOS (OR: 0.94, 95% CI=0.888-0.997, p=0.038).
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Merkezefendi State Hospital, Merkezefendi, Manisa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ö
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology of Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University Medical School, Inciralti, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Calan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biochemistry, Dokuz Eylul University Medical School, Inciralti, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kume
authors.affiliation: Engineering Faculty, Department of Bioengineering, Ege University, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yesil
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Manisa Psychiatry Hospital, Manisa, Turkey.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Isik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult; D000098882:Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Protein
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000098882:Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Protein; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D002097:C-Reactive Protein