Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
Evaluation of Hepatic Glucose Production in a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Mouse Model
Published on: March 5, 2022
Complement protein C3 and coronary artery calcium in middle-aged women with polycystic ovary syndrome and controls
Michelle L Snyder1, Kelly J Shields, Mary T Korytkowski
1Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill, NC , USA .
Insights
Complement protein C3 levels are linked to coronary artery calcification in women, regardless of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) status. This finding may help identify women at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Disease Research
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
Background:
- Circulating complement protein C3 (C3) is linked to coronary artery calcification (CAC) in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.
- C3 levels have not been previously evaluated in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare C3 levels in women with PCOS versus controls.
- To assess the association of C3 with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and CAC.
- To determine if PCOS modifies the C3-CAC association.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 132 women with PCOS and 155 controls (ages 35-62).
- Measurement of CAC via study visit and circulating C3 from stored sera.
- Logistic and ordinal regression analyses for CAC presence and categories.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in C3 levels between PCOS and control groups.
- C3 associated with the presence and severity of CAC in all women, adjusting for confounders (age, PCOS, insulin/BMI, race).
- PCOS status did not alter the association between C3 and CAC.
Conclusions:
- Circulating C3 may aid in identifying women at risk for CVD, including those with PCOS and the general population.
- C3 serves as a potential biomarker for cardiovascular risk assessment.
Abstract:
Circulating complement protein C3 (C3) levels have been associated with coronary artery calcification (CAC) in women with systemic lupus erythematosus, but have yet to be evaluated in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We aimed to determine whether C3 levels were elevated in women with PCOS compared to controls and to quantify the association of C3 with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and CAC and if PCOS modified this association. This cross-sectional analysis included 132 women with PCOS and 155 controls, 35-62 years old, from the third visit of a case-control study. CAC was measured during the study visit, and circulating C3 was measured in stored sera. The presence of CAC and CAC categories (Agatston score 0, 1-9.9 and ≥ 10) were used for logistic and ordinal regression analysis, respectively. C3 levels were not significantly different between women with PCOS and controls. Among all women, C3 was associated with the presence of CAC and increasing CAC groups after adjusting for age, PCOS status and insulin or body mass index (BMI), all p<0.05. In addition, C3 was associated with the presence of CAC after adjusting for age, PCOS status, BMI, insulin and African American race, p=0.049. PCOS status did not modify these associations. In conclusion, circulating C3 levels may prove beneficial in identifying women at risk of CVD in women with PCOS and the general population.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:26Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:30Coronary Artery Disease III: Clinical Manifestations
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies