title: Advanced glycation end products: A link between metabolic and endothelial dysfunction in polycystic ovary syndrome?
abstract: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a heterogeneous syndrome of reproductive and metabolic alterations, is associated with increased long-term risk of cardiovascular complications. This phenomenon has been linked to an increase in oxidative stress and inflammatory markers. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are pro-inflammatory molecules that trigger a state of intracellular oxidative stress and inflammation after binding to their cell membrane receptors RAGE. The activation of the AGE-RAGE axis has been well known to play a role in atherosclerosis in both men and women. Women with PCOS have systemic chronic inflammatory condition even at the ovarian level as represented by elevated levels of serum/ovarian AGEs and increased expression of the pro-inflammatory RAGE in ovarian tissue. Data also showed the presence of sRAGE in the follicular fluid and its potential protective role against the harmful effect of AGEs on ovarian function. Thus, whether AGE-RAGE axis constitutes a link between metabolic and endothelial dysfunction in women with PCOS is addressed in this review. Additionally, we discuss the role of hormonal changes observed in PCOS and how they are linked with the AGE-RAGE axis in order to better understand the nature of this complex syndrome whose consequences extend well beyond reproduction.
authors.affiliation: Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 44 Traps Lane, KT3 4SA New Malden, United Kingdom. Electronic address: m_pertynska@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pertynska-Marczewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Endocrine Unit, Medical School University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Goudi 115002D27, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: e.diamanti.kandarakis@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Evanthia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Diamanti-Kandarakis
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine, New Hope Fertility Center, 4 Columbus Circle, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address: Johnzhang211@gmail.com.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Biology, NYU School of Medicine, 180 Varick Street, sixth floor, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address: zom00@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Zaher
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Merhi
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products
keywords: Advanced glycation end products; Endothelial dysfunction; Inflammation; Polycystic ovary syndrome; RAGE