Metabolic profiles characterizing different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome: plasma metabolomics analysis

Abstract

BackgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine disorder accompanied with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease; despite being a common condition, the pathogenesis of PCOS remains unclear. Our aim was to investigate the potential metabolic profiles for different phenotypes of PCOS, as well as for the early prognosis of complications.MethodsA total of 217 women with PCOS and 48 healthy women as normal controls were studied. Plasma samples of subjects were tested using two different analytical platforms of metabolomics: 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC/TOF-MS).ResultsOur results showed that carbohydrate, lipid and amino acid metabolisms were influenced in PCOS. The levels of lactate, long-chain fatty acids, triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein were elevated, while glucose, phosphatidylcholine and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations were reduced in PCOS patients as compared with controls. Additionally, the levels of alanine, valine, serine, threonine, ornithine, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan were generally increased, whereas the levels of glycine and proline were significantly reduced in PCOS samples compared to controls. Furthermore, the ratio of branched-chain amino acid to aromatic amino acid concentrations (BCAA/AAA) in PCOS plasma was significantly reduced in PCOS patients and was insusceptible to obesity and insulin sensitivity.ConclusionsOur results suggested that the enhanced glycolysis and inhibited tricarboxylic acid cycle (TAC) in women with PCOS. Decrease of BCAA/AAA ratio was directly correlated with the development of PCOS. Ovulatory dysfunction of PCOS patients was associated with raised production of serine, threonine, phenylalanine, tyrosine and ornithine. Elevated levels of valine and leucine, and decreased concentrations of glycine in PCOS plasma could contribute to insulin sensitivity and could be considered as the potential biomarkers for long-term risk assessment of diabetes mellitus.

Adipokines in reproductive function: a link between obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome

“…In most cases, PCOS also involves metabolic alterations such as insulin resistance (IR), hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Additionally, we have recently revealed altered metabolic profiles in PCOS patients, including the enhanced glycolysis, inhibited tricarboxylic acid cycle, and disturbed levels of amino acids (Sun et al 2012, Zhao et al 2012. PCOS can thus lead to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients (Diamanti-Kandarakis & Dunaif 2012).…”

Effect of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Hormones Disorder on Enzymes Gammaglutamyl Transferase, Oxaloacetic Transaminase, and Proteins

“…After adjustment for life style factors like smoking, age, and alcohol use, these could eliminate the differences in terms of TG. It was noted that the changed levels of carbohydrates, amino acids and lipids in PCOS patients specifically note the increased level of triglycerides are reduced high density lipoprotein -cholesterol concentrations in these patients, [34]. It was reported that a major regulator of cholesterol production is insulin, hyperandrogenism and insulin may affect lipoproteins and lipids independently of insulin levels and body weight because dyslipidemia probably secondary to insulin resistance [33,35].…”

Effect of Diane-35 on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome of Different Subtypes

“…Previous researches about the distributions of different PCOS types were different from each other [8]- [10], possibly due to different region, ethnicity and diagnostic criteria. In this study, Type A with oligo-and/or anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovary revealed by ultrasonography (O/A + HA + PCO) accounted for 31.2%.…”