title: Fetuin-A levels in lean and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to estimate serum fetuin-A levels in lean and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to find possible relationships between fetuin-A, metabolic factors and androgens in these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 25 lean (18-38 years, BMI 17.5-25.0 kg/m2) and 15 obese women (20-41 years, BMI 28.1-53.2 kg/m2) with PCOS, anthropometric indices and body composition were measured. Fasting serum fetuin-A, adiponectin, leptin, glucose, lipids, hsCRP, insulin, androgens and SHGB levels were estimated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in serum fetuin-A levels between lean and obese patients: 0.54 ± 0.13 g/L and 0.60 ± 0.14 g/L, respectively. We noted a correlation between BMI and leptin levels (r = 0.88; p < 0.0001) and a nearly significant negative correlation between BMI and adiponectin levels (r = -0.53; p = 0.11) in all subjects. In lean patients, we found a correlation between fetuin-A levels and ALT activity (r = 0.44; p < 0.05). In all participants, fetuin-A correlated directly with DHEA-S levels (r = 0.44; p < 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum fetuin-A levels were similar in lean and obese women with PCOS. We found an association between fetuin-A levels and ALT activity in lean patients and between fetuin-A levels and DHEA-S in all women. The role of fetuin-A in the mechanisms of insulin resistance, and its potential impact on androgenic hormones production in women with PCOS, need to be tested in further studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Medical Centre of Postgraduate Education, Bielański Hospital, Warsaw, Poland. jkozakowski@cmkp.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kozakowski
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jeske
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zgliczyński
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult; D060749:alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D015415:Biomarkers; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D060749:alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone