Is pentraxin 3 a new cardiovascular risk marker in polycystic ovary syndrome?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients have an increased rate of subclinical inflammation, which plays a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an inflammatory mediator which belongs to the same family as the well-established cardiovascular biomarker C-reactive protein (CRP). The present study was performed to investigate plasma PTX3 levels in patients with PCOS and to determine the relationship between PTX3 and other known cardiovascular risk factors.

METHODS

40 patients with PCOS and 40 age- and BMI-matched healthy controls were included in the study. The groups were divided into subgroups according to BMI. Insulin resistance indexes, lipid profile, CRP and PTX3 levels were analyzed.

RESULTS

There was no difference for insulin resistance indexes and lipid profile between the PCOS and control groups. CRP levels were significantly higher in obese PCOS and control subjects than in lean subjects, whereas no difference in PTX3 concentrations was observed between subgroups.

CONCLUSION

PTX3 and CRP levels were similar in the PCOS group compared with the non-PCOS control group.