Association of Decreased C1q/Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Protein-5 Levels with Metabolic and Hormonal Disturbance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein-5 (CTRP5) is a novel secreted peptide hormone involved in metabolism of energy regulation. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which is a reproductive and metabolic disorder is associated with insulin resistance. The target of the current study was comparison of circulating levels of CTRP5 in women with and without PCOS and investigation of possible associations between CTRP5 and metabolic-hormonal parameters.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional study contained a group of 80 women with PCOS and a group of 80 women without PCOS with having age- and body mass index-matched. Circulating levels of CTRP5 were calculated considering enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We also measured hormonal and metabolic parameters.

RESULTS: PCOS subjects represented lower levels of circulating CTRP5 when compared with the women without PCOS (6.90 ± 2.64 vs. 11.73 ± 3.66 ng/ml, P < 0.001). CTRP5 was negatively correlated with insulin resistance, free-androgen index (FAI), and body mass index in both PCOS and control groups. Moreover, PCOS patients having insulin resistance showed lower circulating CTRP5 levels compared to those without insulin resistance. In both the control and PCOS groups, overweight subjects had lower circulating levels of CTRP5 compared to participants with normal weight. Logistic regression analyses indicated that subjects in the lowest tertile for CTRP5 level had higher risk of PCOS compared to those subjects in the highest tertile of CTRP5.

CONCLUSION: Decreased circulating levels of CTRP5 were associated with higher risk of PCOS, as well as having metabolic disturbance among women with PCOS.