Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, including insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus type 2, obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia. Many studies have assessed the role of adipokines in the etiopathogenesis of PCOS, however, no single biomarker has been recognized to be in causal relation to the syndrome. Apelin has been identified as a new adipokine linked to obesity and insulin resistance. Some studies demonstrated that the apelin / apelin receptor could play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome, however the other yielded controversial results. Underlying mechanisms of possible involvement of apelin/apelin receptor complex are discussed.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is commonly associated with
a higher cardiometabolic risk. The relationship between steroid
hormones and cardiometabolic profile in PCOS has been
evaluated, but no single hormonal predictor of this association
has been identified to determine. To determine the relationship
between steroid hormones and cardiometabolic risk factors in
PCOS women. Study included 64 women diagnosed with PCOS.
Fasting blood samples were analyzed for biochemical, metabolic
parameters and sex steroid hormones. PCOS women with
BMI≥27 had significantly higher serum free testosterone (FT),
free androgen index (FAI), estrone (E1) (p=0.014, p=0.02,
p=0.01) than those with normal weight. In all subjects
E1 positively correlated with BMI (p=0.0067), serum insulin
(p=0.0046), HOMA-IR (p=0.0125) and negatively with
HDL-cholesterol (p=0.009). FAI positively correlated with serum
cholesterol (p=0.0457), triacylglycerols (TAG) (p=0.0001),
HOMA-IR (p=0.037), and glycemia (p=0.0001), negatively with
HDL-cholesterol (p=0.029). In multiple linear regression model
E1 most significantly predicted HOMA-IR, whereas FT/FAI
predicted HDL-cholesterol and BMI. We conclude that PCOS
women with marked overweight or obesity have higher FT, FAI
and E1 as compared with nonobese PCOS subjects. E1 and FT
may predict worse cardiometabolic profile in PCOS.