Glycoprotein A and B Height-to-Width Ratios as Obesity-Independent Novel Biomarkers of Low-Grade Chronic Inflammation in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Abstract

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women in reproductive age. Obesity and low-grade chronic inflammation are frequently associated with PCOS. Recently, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR)-derived glycoprotein profiles have emerged as potential biomarkers that reflect systemic inflammation in type 2 diabetes, obesity, and other pathological processes. The aim of this work is to study plasma glycoprotein profiles as metabolic/inflammatory biomarkers underlying PCOS and its association with inflammation and obesity. We used 1H-NMR spectroscopy to study five glycoprotein variables, namely GlycA, GlycB, and GlycF and the height-to-width (H/W) ratio of GlycA and GlycB, in 17 women with PCOS (9 non-obese and 8 obese), 17 control women (9 non-obese and 8 obese), and 19 healthy men (10 non-obese and 9 obese). H/W ratios of GlycA and GlycB, but not glycoprotein areas, were specifically associated with PCOS independently of obesity. When considered as a whole, obese subjects presented higher GlycA, GlycB, and GlycF areas and higher H/W GlycA and GlycB ratios than their non-obese counterparts. All glycoprotein variables were associated with hsCRP, IL-6, and TNF-α, showing different correlations among PCOS, women, and men. Our present exploratory results suggest that 1H-NMR-derived glycoprotein profiles might serve as novel diagnostic markers of low-grade chronic inflammation in women with PCOS.

Bariatric surgery decreases oxidative stress and protein glycosylation in patients with morbid obesity

“…8 The increasing use of proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy in recent years has enabled compounds such as metabolites, lipoproteins and glycoproteins to be detected. 9 The technique has been used to study five glycoprotein variables: GlycA, GlycB and GlycF, and the height-to-width (H/W) ratio of GlycA and GlycB. GlycA has been reported in the literature to be a marker of inflammation that is associated with mortality, CVD and other inflammatory diseases.…”

GlycA Levels during the Earliest Stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Potential Use as a Biomarker of Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease

“…The right and left carotid arteries were scanned (transverse and longitudinal approaches) by the sonographer to evaluate the carotid intima-media wall thickness (cIMT) and plaque presence. The cIMT was bilaterally measured across 1–2 cm segments of the near and far walls of the distal common carotid artery and the far wall of the carotid bulb and the internal carotid artery on both the right and left sides, according to the “Mannheim Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Consensus (2004–2006)” [ 20 ], and the mean value was used. The reproducibility of the cIMT measurement was 89.0%.…”

“…The reproducibility of the cIMT measurement was 89.0%. Atherosclerotic plaque was defined as a distinct area protruding into the vessel lumen at least 0.5 mm, with 50% greater thickness than the cIMT found in surrounding areas or the presence of a cIMT > 1.5 mm [ 20 ]. Total number of plaques and echogenic characteristics were registered.…”

Metabolomics and inflammation in polycystic ovary syndrome

“…A causal role for the chronic inflammation in the pathogenesis of PCOS has also been postulated based on the available data. Therefore, inflammatory variables have been suggested as a necessary part of PCOS research.Several authors have also reached evidences of an association between certain metabolomics and chronic inflammation in PCOS patients, particularly the glycoproteins [3]. Moreover, changes in body composition parameters are more frequent in patients with PCOS and such changes as well as feeding behavior can cause some metabolites to differently modulate and/or participate in processes such as low grade inflammation.In conclusion, we appreciate the authors' rigorous statistical performance, however, the potential of confounding of the results by systemic inflammation could be acknowledged based on the available evidence.…”

“…Several authors have also reached evidences of an association between certain metabolomics and chronic inflammation in PCOS patients, particularly the glycoproteins [3]. Moreover, changes in body composition parameters are more frequent in patients with PCOS and such changes as well as feeding behavior can cause some metabolites to differently modulate and/or participate in processes such as low grade inflammation.…”