Homocysteine is an indicator of arterial stiffness in Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Acupuncture improves the emotion domain and lipid profiles in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the effect of acupuncture on the emotion domain and metabolic parameters of Chinese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) by secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial, conducted from 6 July 2012 to 7 October 2015.

Method

In this study, we investigated the effects of acupuncture (458 patients) and sham acupuncture (468 patients) on metabolic parameters, serum ions, and all quality-of-life scale scores related to PCOS. The quality of life of patients was evaluated using five relevant scales, operated by the research assistant, namely, PCOSQ, SF-36, and ChiQOL, as well as Zung-SAS and Zung-SDS. Metabolic parameters and serum ions were measured.

Results

A reduction in acne score, AN, Hcy, and LDL-C, and an increase in the level of lipoprotein α, Apo A1, and Apo A1/Apo B were observed in the acupuncture group after 4 months' intervention after adjusting clomiphene and reproductive outcome (p< 0.05). An increase in SF-36 total scores, RP and RE scores, ChiQOL total scores, and emotion domain scores was observed in the acupuncture group after 4 months' intervention, while PF and HT scores were decreased (adjusted p< 0.05). Those same changes were observed in sham acupuncture. Meanwhile, the serum levels of Ca, K, and Cl were elevated in the acupuncture group after the interventions (adjusted p< 0.005). There were no significant differences in HOMA-IR, MetS, FPG, FINS, HDL-C, TG, Apo B, and level of serum P, Mg, and Na. Also, no changes in BP, GH, VT, SF, physical form domain, and spirit domain were observed after treatment.

Conclusion

Acupuncture can improve not only the emotional changes in SF-36 scores and ChiQOL scores, but also lipid metabolism, implying that it may have a correlation between emotional change and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, acupuncture can also regulate the changes of serum Ca, K, and Cl.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT01573858.

Sex-specific difference in the relationship between body fat percentage and arterial stiffness: Results from Fuzhou study

Obesity and overweight are closely related to cardiovascular mortality. Arterial stiffness is one of the important risks for cardiovascular diseases and is strongly related with the cardiovascular mortality. However, the relationship between obesity and arterial stiffness is still controversial. A cross-sectional study was performed to examine the relationship of body fat percentage (BFP), an indicator of obesity, with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) in 2603 subjects (aged 58.62 ± 11.27 years, male 71.07%, hypertension 64.89%). All participants were divided into four groups according to the gender and the presence of arterial stiffening based on a value ≥10 m/s of cfPWV(group1 : male with cfPWV <10 m/s, group2 : male with cfPWV ≥10 m/s, group3 : female with cfPWV <10 m/s, group4 : female with cfPWV ≥10 m/s). Body weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure were measured and clinical biochemical tests were recorded. cfPWV was measured using a non-invasive automatic device (Complior Analysis, France). BFP were calculated by CUN-BAE equation. The level of cfPWV was significantly increased with the increasing trend of BFP in both males and females. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that SBP, DBP, HR, Hcy, BFP, FPG were independent associated with cfPWV in females and SBP, eGFR, FPG, BFP, DBP were independent associated with cfPWV in males. In the subgroups stratified by age, BFP was correlated with cfPWV only in females over 60 years old, but not in female those aged under 60 years old and males. In addition to the age and blood pressure, BFP was one of important predictor of arterial stiffening special in females aged over 60 years old.

Hyperhomocysteinemia and pregnancy outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A case-control study

Background

One of the reproductive medicine challenges is to determine the role of hyperhomocysteinemia in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), especially in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).

Objective

Determine the correlation between hyperhomocysteinemia and pregnancy outcome in women with PCOS.

Materials and Methods

This case-control study involved 245 women (20-30 yr) and was conducted in Georgia, Tbilisi from 2019-2022. Of these, 175 were women with PCOS (study group) and 70 were healthy women (control group). Women with PCOS were divided into group I with RPL (n = 90), and group II with live births (n = 85). Group I was divided into subgroups A and B with and without insulin resistance. The investigation measured homocysteine (Hcy), follicle-stimulating, luteinizing, anti-Mullerian hormones, total and free testosterone were determined. To determine the ovarian volume and antral follicle count, participants also underwent an ultrasound examination.

Results

In women with PCOS, the average Hcy level was significantly higher than in the controls, p < 0.05. In group I, the average Hcy level was significantly higher than in group II and controls, p < 0.05. There was no significant difference in average Hcy level between group II and controls. The average Hcy level in group I, subgroup A was significantly higher than in subgroup B, p < 0.05. The average total, free testosterone levels, and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance levels (HOMA-IR) in group I was significantly higher than in group II and controls. HOMA-IR in group II and controls did not differ significantly. The average anti-Mullerian hormone levels in women with PCOS were significantly higher than controls, p < 0.05. No significant difference was observed in average anti-Mullerian hormone level, ovarian volume, antral follicle count, and body mass index between the comparison groups of PCOS. In group I, a positive correlation between Hcy with HOMA-IR was detected.

Conclusion

Serum Hcy levels are elevated in women with PCOS and RPL, which correlates with their insulin resistance status.

OXIDATIVE STRESS AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION: Oxidative stress in polycystic ovary syndrome

In brief

A genetic, epigenetic, and environmental association exists between oxidative stress (OS) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), expressed in a multifaceted clinical profile. This review summarizes and discusses the role of OS in the pathogenesis of PCOS syndrome, focusing on metabolic, reproductive, and cancer complications.

Abstract

Oxidative stress (OS), an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in cells, is one of many factors playing essential roles in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is described mainly as a disproportion of reproductive hormones, leading to chronic anovulation and infertility in women. Interestingly, OS in PCOS may be associated with many disorders and diseases. This review focuses on characteristic markers of OS in PCOS and the relationship between OS and PCOS related to insulin resistance (IR), hyperandrogenemia, obesity, chronic inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Interestingly, in patients with PCOS, an increase in oxidative status and insufficient compensation of the increase in antioxidant status before any cardiovascular complications are observed. Moreover, free radicals promote carcinogenesis in PCOS patients. However, despite these data, it has not been established whether oxygen stress influences PCOS development or a secondary disorder resulting from hyperglycemia, IR, and cardiovascular and cancer complications in women.