Role of inflammatory markers in polycystic ovaries syndrome: In relation to insulin resistance

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between plasma levels of the inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C reactive protein (CRP), and interlukin-6 (IL-6) with insulin resistance in Saudi women with polycystic ovaries syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: One hundred eighty Saudi women with and without PCOS, aged 22-38 years, were randomly recruited in this age and body mass index matched case-control study. Clinical assessment, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical parameters were determined for all study participants.

Results: Levels of TNF-α, IL-6, hs-CRP, insulin, and insulin resistance indices were significantly higher among PCOS group than their age and BMI matched controls (p < 0.05). Results showed that only QUICK-I (β = -0.247, p < 0.0001, 95% CI: -3.009 to -0.977) independently predicted TNF-α levels after adjustment for potential confounders.

Conclusions: Elevated plasma levels of TNF- α and IL-6 among PCOS women reflects a state of chronic inflammation with potential implication for insulin resistance, independent of obesity.

Keywords: HOMA-IR; IL-6; QUICKI; TNF-α; hs-CRP.