Serum irisin levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is clinically heterogeneous endocrine disorders. Insulin resistance-related proteins play a role in the etiopathogenesis of PCOS. Irisin is a newly identified myokine which act like adipokines. Irisin has been shown to be associated with the insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. The purpose of this study was to determine the serum levels of irisin in PCOS patients and evaluate the correlations with other metabolic and hormonal parameters.

Thirty-five PCOS patients and 35 matched healthy controls were enrolled to study. Serum irisin levels, anthropometric, hormonal and metabolic parameters including HOMA-IR were measured. Linear regression analysis was employed to study the relationship between irisin and hormonal and metabolic parameters.

Serum irisin level in PCOS patients (mean value; 0.491±0.145 µg/mL) was significantly elevated when compared to control group (mean value 0.281±0.138 µg/mL) (p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis showed that serum irisin was positively associated with body mass index, luteinizing hormone, fasting insulin and total cholesterol in the overall patient population but not for PCOS group alone (p < 0.05).

Serum irisin level of PCOS patients was high compared to that of healthy control subjects. In patients with PCOS, this situation may be due to insulin resistance, when there is leptin resistance or metabolic syndrome.