Interleukin-6 Levels in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

BackgroundThe change of serum interleukin-6(IL-6) levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as well as the relations between IL-6 levels and body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance(IR) and androgen status of PCOS patients, are not fully understood.MethodsA literature search was performed in October 2015 using PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library databases to identify studies. Random-effects model was used to estimate the standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsTwenty articles with 25 case-control studies included 1618 women (922 PCOS patients and 696 controls) were included in this study. IL-6 levels in controls were significantly lower than that of PCOS patients (SMD = 0.78, 95%CI = 0.41–1.16, P<0.001), with significant heterogeneity across studies (I2 = 91% and P<0.001). Meta-regression analysis model indicated IR status was the main source of heterogeneity (P = 0.005). Results from group analysis suggested that high IL-6 levels in PCOS were significantly associated with Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA2-IR) ratio and total testosterone ratio (T ratio), and was found in both lean and obese women with PCOS. Cumulative meta-analysis results indicated the total effect size (SMD) had tend to be stable since 2012(0.79 to 0.92).ConclusionsA high IL-6 level is not an intrinsic characteristic of PCOS, but may be a useful monitoring biomarker for the treatment of PCOS.

Expression of the gonadotropin receptors during follicular development

“…A breakdown of this system can lead to ovulatory disorders, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In patients with PCOS, an excess of androgens, LH, IGF‐1, and IL‐6 has been reported. Further analysis is desired in order to elucidate the mechanisms that are involved in these diseases and to improve ovulation induction therapy.…”

Chromium supplementation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Given that all parameters were continuous variables, intervention effects were defined as standardized mean differences (SMD), which are more suitable than weighted mean differences when the differences in the means were large across studies. 28 P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Cochran's test was used to evaluate statistical heterogeneity.…”

“…Where applicable, we performed this meta‐analysis of each outcome using Review Manager 5.3 (Nordic Cochrane Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark). Given that all parameters were continuous variables, intervention effects were defined as standardized mean differences (SMD), which are more suitable than weighted mean differences when the differences in the means were large across studies . P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.…”

Ulmus minor bark hydro-alcoholic extract ameliorates histological parameters and testosterone level in an experimental model of PCOS rats

“…The mechanisms that cause PCOS are very diverse and complex. Inflammatory biomarkers such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), the mean platelet volume (MPV), serum IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) are higher in PCOS patients compared to control women (Dasanu et al 2011;Yilmaz et al 2015;Peng et al 2016). Adipocytokines levels such as leptin, Omentin-1 and chemerin have been reported to be altered in patients with PCOS.…”