The relationship between spexin and liver steatosis in polycystic ovary syndrome: a novel analysis using ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the relationship between spexin levels and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

METHODS

The study included 90 participants, comprising 44 patients diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome and 46 age- and body mass index-matched controls. Participants' spexin, glucose, urea, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, total testosterone, free testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels were measured. The liver steatosis grading was done using the ultrasound-guided attenuation parameter from General Electric Healthcare. The parameters were evaluated between the groups.

RESULTS

Spexin levels in polycystic ovary syndrome patients were significantly lower compared to the control group (p<0.001). Glucose, triglycerides, luteinizing hormone, total testosterone, free testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels were found to be significantly higher in polycystic ovary syndrome patients compared to the control group (p<0.001). High-density lipoprotein levels in polycystic ovary syndrome patients were significantly lower compared to the control group (p<0.001). The prevalence of liver steatosis was notably higher among the polycystic ovary syndrome patients compared to the control group (p<0.001). In patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, spexin levels demonstrated significant negative correlations with body mass index, glucose, triglycerides, luteinizing hormone, total testosterone, free testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (all p<0.001). A strong negative correlation was observed between spexin levels and liver steatosis grading (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Spexin is a coordinator in the metabolic relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and liver health, suggesting its utility as a biomarker for detecting liver steatosis and related metabolic disturbances in this population.