[Clinical significance and changes of serum visfatin, adiponectin and leptin levels in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome].

OBJECTIVE

To examine the serum visfatin, adiponectin and leptin levels in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and to explore the basis of the pathogenesis of PCOS.

METHODS

A PCOS group (n=73) and a healthy control group (n=75) were included in the study, which were matched in age and body mass index (BMI). Serum visfatin, adiponectin, leptin, sex hormone levels, and metabolic parameters were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or radioimmunoassay (RIA).

RESULTS

Serum levels of fasting insulin(Fins), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin (PRL) in the PCOS group were significantly higher than those in the healthy group(all P<0.05),and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level was significantly decreased in the PCOS group. The visfatin and leptin levels in the PCOS group increased significantly than those in the healthy group [PCOS group: (95.30+/-31.90) and (11.10+/-3.87) microg/L; healthy group: (73.20+/-20.30) and (7.21+/-2.47) microg/L,P<0.001]. The adiponectin level was significantly lower than that in the healthy group [PCOS group: (4.21+/-1.17) mg/L; healthy group:( 6.39+/-1.53) mg/L,P<0.001]. Pearson correlation analysis showed that visfatin level was negatively related to adiponectin levels (r=-0.452 and -0.378, P<0.01), but positively related to leptin and HOMA-IR levels in both the PCOS group and the healthy group (r=0.379-0.556, all P<0.01). The correlation remained between the visfatin and HOMA-IR levels in the PCOS group after correcting the influence of BMI. CONCLUSION Patients with PCOS have high visfatin and leptin levels but low adiponectin levels. Visfatin levels are positively related to insulin resistance.