Adropin in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) frequently develop metabolic complications. Among the new markers responsible for metabolic disorders, adropin seems to be of the great significance.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: 134 women aged 17-45 years were enrolled. PCOS group consisted of 73 women, diagnosed on the basis of ESHRE-ASRM criteria. All PCOS women presented phenotype A of PCOS. Control group consisted of 61 women with regular menstrual cycles, matched for nutritional status. All women underwent anamnesis, physical examination, anthropometric measurements, abdominal ultrasonography, and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Serum adropin levels were determined by ELISA. Biochemical (fasting glucose and insulin, oral glucose tolerance test, lipid and SHBG) and hormonal (testosterone, androstenedione, LH, FSH and estradiol) measurements were performed. Insulin resistance indices (HOMA, QUICKI, Matsuda) and free androgen index (FAI) were calculated according to the standard formula. Statistical significance was defined by p≤0.05.

RESULTS: Serum adropin levels were lower in PCOS group, but the results were not statistically significant. Positive correlations among adropin and androstenedione levels were observed in PCOS group.

CONCLUSIONS: Serum adropin levels were lower in women with PCOS compared with controls, but the results were not statistically significant. Therefore, more studies including adropin are needed to clarify this association.