Insulin resistance and Oxidant-Antioxidant Markers in Young Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Oxidative stress and insulin resistance (IR) may contribute to the pathogenesis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). IR promotes hyperglycaemia, which may increase the production of reactive oxygen species and decrease in antioxidant levels in PCOS. Aim: To investigate the oxidant-antioxidant status and its association with insulin resistance in young women with PCOS. Materials and methods: The present study involved two groups, PCOS (n = 55) and age and BMI matched controls (n = 55). Serum levels of various oxidative stress markers malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidants- superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured using spectrophotometric assays. HOMA-IR method was used to assess the insulin resistance. Results were analysed to compare and correlate insulin resistance with these oxidative stress markers. Results:   PCOS group had significantly higher MDA and lower TAC activity, SOD, catalase levels than the control group (p < 0.001).  PCOS patients with IR had significantly higher MDA, while SOD, catalase, TAC levels lower than the PCOS patients without IR (p< 0.001). Infertile PCOS patients had significantly higher MDA, and lower SOD, catalase, TAC level than the fertile PCOS patients (p<0.001). There was a statistically significant and positive correlation between HOMA-IR and MDA levels, whereas HOMA-IR showed statistically significant negative correlation with SOD, catalase and TAC levels. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that young PCOS women may experience oxidative stress due to insulin resistance. As a result, the existence of insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and oxidative damage in PCOS is likely to hasten the gradual progression of cardiovascular disease.  Keywords: Infertility; Insulin resistance; Oxidative stress; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Antioxidants