MCP-1 and fetuin A levels in patients with PCOS and/or obesity before and after metformin treatment

Role of adipokines in the ovarian function: Oogenesis and steroidogenesis

Adipokines are mainly produced by adipose tissue; however, their expression has been reported in other organs including female reproductive tissues. Therefore, adipokines have opened new avenues of research in female fertility. In this regard, studies reported different roles for certain adipokines in ovarian function, although the role of other recently identified adipokines is still controversial. It seems that adipokines are essential for normal ovarian function and their abnormal levels could be associated with ovarian-related disorders. The objective of this study is to review the available information regarding the role of adipokines in ovarian functions including follicular development, oogenesis and steroidogenesis and also their involvement in ovary-related disorders.

Association of circulating monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 levels with polycystic ovary syndrome: A meta-analysis

PROBLEM

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that has a huge impact on the human infertility. Increased levels of various circulating inflammatory cytokines have been observed in PCOS patients, which can contribute to the pathogenesis of PCOS. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a secretory chemokine, is a potent chemotactic factor that recruits monocytes/macrophages to inflammatory foci. Several previous studies comparing the circulating MCP-1 levels between non-PCOS and PCOS patients have yielded contradictory results. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate whether circulating MCP-1 levels vary between non-PCOS and PCOS patients.

METHODS

Research articles published before November 11, 2020, were screened to identify eligible studies. Heterogeneity, sensitivity, and publication bias were analyzed using STATA software. Standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated by the STATA software using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

11 studies were included in this meta-analysis involving 897 individuals: 368 non-PCOS patient and 529 PCOS patients. Our pooled meta-analysis results show that circulating MCP-1 levels were significantly higher in PCOS patients than in non-PCOS patients (SMD = 0.84, 95% CI = [0.37, 1.31], Z = 3.50, p < 0.01). However, due to the limited number of studies included in this meta-analysis, subgroup analysis determined that circulating MCP-1 levels were not significantly varied between obese non-PCOS and obese PCOS patients (SMD = 0.42, 95% CI = [-0.65, 1.49], Z = 0.77, p = 0.442) as well as between non-PCOS and PCOS patients without obesity (SMD = 2.04, 95% CI = [-0.84, 4.93], Z = 1.39, p = 0.166). In addition, circulating MCP-1 levels were also not significantly different between obese and non-obese PCOS patients (SMD = -0.04, 95% CI = [-0.68, 0.60], Z = 0.11, p = 0.909).

CONCLUSION

Our findings reveal that circulating MCP-1 levels are upregulated in women with PCOS and are associated with an increased risk of PCOS.