Oxidative status and its relation with insulin resistance in young non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: Oxidative stress may play a role in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Insulin resistance (IR) also can be found in young non-obese women with PCOS. Hyperglycemia may increase reactive oxygen species production and decrease antioxidant levels. Aim: To investigate oxidative status and its relation with IR in young non-obese patients with PCOS. Material/subjects and methods: Thirty-one patients with hyperinsulinemic (no.=13) and normoinsulinemic (no.=18) PCOS and 29 healthy controls were included in this study. Serum levels of glucose, insulin, gonadotropins, total testosterone, DHEAS, SHBG, 2-h plasma glucose on oral glucose tolerance test, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), reduced glutathione (GSH), β carotene, vitamin A, C, E and the enzyme activities of catalase and glutathione S-transferase (GST), IR [by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR], and β cell function [by HOMA-B] were assessed. Results: Serum glucose, insulin, total testosterone, DHEAS, HOMA-IR levels, and LH/FSH ratios were higher in young non-obese women with PCOS. Serum MDA and PC levels were also higher but GSH, vitamin C and E levels, and GST enzyme activity were lower in these women than in healthy controls, independently of the status of IR (p<0.05). Conclusions: Oxidative stress characterized by increased oxidants and decreased antioxidant levels which are independent of IR may be involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS in young non-obese women.