Levels of Neopterin and other Inflammatory Markers in Obese and Non-Obese Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
BACKGROUND
We aimed to measure the levels of inflammatory markers and neopterin in obese and non-obese patients with PCOS by using 2 separate control groups with matching body mass index (BMI).


METHODS
A total of 60 women of reproductive age with (n=30) and without (n=30) PCOS were included in this study. Based on their BMI, patients with PCOS were divided into 2 groups as obese (n=15) and non-obese (n=15) PCOS groups. In addition, 2 BMI-matched control groups were formed. Neopterin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (N/L ratio), and vitamin B12 were assessed by complete blood count.


RESULTS
No significant difference was found between patients with PCOS and control subjects in neopterin, IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP levels. However, N/L ratio levels were significantly higher (p 0.045) and vitamin B12 levels were significantly lower (p 0.033) in patients with PCOS compared to control subjects. No statistically significant difference was found between obese and non-obese patients with PCOS and control subjects in neopterin, IL-6, TNF-α, and N/L ratio levels. However, CRP levels were significantly higher in obese patients with PCOS compared to obese control subjects (p 0.007).


CONCLUSIONS
It can be concluded that inflammatory activity is increased in patients with PCOS, can lead to an increased risk for atherosclerosis, and this increase is not caused by obesity but rather by the polycystic ovary syndrome itself. However, studies with larger sample sizes are needed in this area.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dicle University School of Medicine, Diyarbakır, Turkey.
Elif
E
Agacayak
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dicle University School of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
Senem Yaman
SY
Tunc
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, İdil State Hospital, Sirnak, Turkey.
Sibel
S
Sak
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sedef Medical Center, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
Serdar
S
Basaranoglu
Department of Biochemistry, Dicle University School of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
Hatice
H
Yüksel
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dicle University School of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
Abdulkadir
A
Turgut
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dicle University School of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
Talip
T
Gul
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D019798:Neopterin / Q000097:blood*; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D019798:Neopterin