The impact of body mass on inflammatory markers and insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate inflammatory markers and insulin resistance (IR) in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), with different body mass index (BMI).

Methods: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed in serum samples from 40 women in reproductive age. Patients were divided into four groups: I (non-eutrophic with PCOS, n = 12), II (non-eutrophic without PCOS, n = 10), III (eutrophic with PCOS, n = 8) and IV (eutrophic without PCOS, n = 10) being non-eutrophic, the overweight and obese women with BMI > 25 kg/m² and eutrophic women with BMI < 24.9 kg/m². Homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) was calculated for evaluation of IR.

Results: PCOS patients showed increased levels of CRP (p < 0.01) and HOMA-IR (p < 0.01). When divided by BMI, both non-eutrophic and eutrophic PCOS showed increased CRP levels (p < 0.01) and HOMA-IR (p < 0.01). There were no differences in TNF-α and IL-6 levels between groups.

Conclusion: In the PCOS group, the levels of CRP and IR were elevated, compared to their counterparts, regardless of body mass.

• Cytokines
• inflammation
• insulin resistance
• nutritional status
• obesity
• ovary
• polycystic ovary syndrome

Declaration of interest

This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.