osteoprotegerin and Polycystic-Ovary-Syndrome

To investigate the relationships of osteoprotegerin (OPG) concentrations to brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and the carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).. Thirty-seven women with PCOS and 41 controls matched for body mass index (BMI) and age were included in study. The serum OPG concentrations, hormonal and metabolic profiles were measured in women with PCOS and in control group. The CIMT and brachial artery FMD were evaluated in both groups.. The mean serum concentrations of all hormones were comparable, except LH, which was higher in women with PCOS. Lipid parameters were similar between groups. There were no differences between groups with respect to fasting glucose, 2-h glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1c and HOMA-IR. The mean osteoprotogerin concentrations were higher in PCOS group (11.39 ± 2.29 vs. 10.22 ± 2.25 pmol/L, P = 0.026). The mean CIMT was higher in PCOS group than control group (0.52 ± 0.058 vs. 0.45 ± 0.059 mm, P < 0.01). The mean brachial artery FMD was lower in PCOS group (0.068 ± 0.022 vs. 0.055 ± 0.029, P = 0.017).. We found high osteoprotogerin concentrations, increased CIMT and decreased FMD, in women with PCOS. However, there was no correlation between osteoprotegerin and cardiovascular risk markers.

Topics: Adult; Body Mass Index; Brachial Artery; Cardiovascular Diseases; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Case-Control Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Endothelium, Vascular; Female; Humans; Lipids; Obesity; Osteoprotegerin; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Risk Factors; Vasodilation

There is plenty of evidence that osteoprotegerin (OPG) is linked to subclinical vascular damage and predicts cardiovascular disease in high-risk populations. Our aim is to investigate the relationships of OPG/free soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (sRANKL) to insulin resistance, brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), and the carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism, impaired glucose control, and endothelial injury.. A cross-sectional, observational study.. Hormonal and metabolic profiles, FMD, CIMT, serum OPG, and ampli-sRANKL were assessed in 64 young PCOS patients and 20 controls of similar age. Body composition was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.. OPG was significantly lower in PCOS and related negatively to free testosterone and positively to estradiol (E(2)) levels. In multivariate analysis, OPG but not ampli-sRANKL correlated positively to fasting insulin, insulin sensitivity indices, and FMD. Neither OPG nor ampli-sRANKL was associated with CIMT. Significantly lower adjusted FMD values were demonstrated in women in the upper OPG quartile group (>2.65 pmol/l) compared with all other quartile groups together (P=0.012). In PCOS, multiple regression analysis retained E(2)/sex hormone-binding globulin ratio, fat mass, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance as independent predictors of OPG.. In PCOS, circulating OPG is related to both endothelial dysfunction and insulin resistance, independent of obesity and androgen excess, suggesting OPG as a useful biomarker of these effects. Further studies are needed to evaluate OPG in relation to cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality in PCOS.

Topics: Adult; Biomarkers; Blood Flow Velocity; Body Composition; Brachial Artery; Carotid Arteries; Cross-Sectional Studies; Endothelium, Vascular; Estradiol; Female; Humans; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Osteoprotegerin; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Prospective Studies; RANK Ligand; Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B; Regression Analysis; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; Testosterone; Tunica Intima; Tunica Media; Vasodilation

Osteoprotegerin (OPG), an inhibitor of osteoclastic bone resorption, has a variety of functions including anti-inflammatory effects and a possible cardiovascular protective role. Both low-grade chronic inflammation and cardiovascular risk are increased in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We aimed to study serum OPG concentrations in PCOS patients.. Case-control study including 40 PCOS patients matched with 40 non-hyperandrogenic women for age and body mass index.. Basal serum sampling and standard oral glucose tolerance test, and measurement of serum OPG concentrations by commercial ELISA.. Serum OPG concentrations were lower in women with PCOS compared with those of controls (304+/-120 vs 363+/-105 pg/ml respectively; F=7.641, P=0.007) independently of obesity. No differences were observed in serum receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) levels and in the RANKL/OPG molar ratio. A multivariate linear regression model (R(2)=0.208, F=6.579, P=0.001) showed that PCOS (beta=-0.281, P=0.008), obesity (beta=-0.245, P=0.022) and age (beta=0.296, P=0.006) were predictive of serum OPG concentrations.. Serum OPG concentrations are reduced in PCOS patients independently of obesity. Considering the anti-inflammatory effects of OPG, its reduced serum concentrations might contribute to the proinflammatory state and cardiovascular risk of PCOS patients.

Topics: Adult; Blood Pressure; Case-Control Studies; Down-Regulation; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Hirsutism; Humans; Obesity; Osteoprotegerin; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; RANK Ligand; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; Testosterone