Levels of CD40L and other inflammatory biomarkers in obese and non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PROBLEM: We investigated whether changes in sCD40L, hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α levels are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHOD OF STUDY: Case-control study involving 143 women with and 165 women without PCOS.

RESULT(S): Reduced sCD40L, and increased hs-CRP and IL-6, but not TNF-α, levels were seen between cases and controls. ROC analysis demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for sCD40L and hs-CRP as PCOS predictors. Altered sCD40L levels were associated with PCOS, irrespective of body weight. Significant differences in IL-6 levels were seen between non-obese subjects and for TNF-α in obese subjects. sCD40L correlated negatively with age, insulin, HOMA-IR, LH, free testosterone, FAI, and hirsutism, but positively with SHBG. CRP correlated positively with BMI, insulin, HOMA-IR, free testosterone, and hirsutism. IL-6 correlated positively with hirsutism. TNF-α correlated positively with age, but negatively with insulin and HOMA-IR.

CONCLUSION: CD40L, more than IL-6, or TNF-α, constitutes a predictor to explain PCOS and associated features.