A case-control study on reduced HDL2b in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is an important factor associated with the increasing risk of future ischaemic heart disease. In this study, we analyzed serum HDL2b level in the patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Total of 60 female patients with PCOS was enrolled for assessment and another 60 non-PCOS females with matched age and weight were selected as control. A highly sensitive microfluidic chip was employed to analyze the serum HDL subfractions. Serum HDL2b and HDL2b/HDL ratio were decreased in PCOS group than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that serum HDL2b level was negatively correlated with body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, INS0, HOMA-IR, T, estradiol, triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-C; and the ratio of HDL2b/HDL was negatively correlated with T, TG and LDL-C. Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed a reverse correlation for HDL2b and its ratio to HDL with hyperandrogenism. The results suggested that a reduction of serum HDL2b and its ratio to total serum HDL in PCOS patients by using the microfluidic chip method assessment. Hyperandrogenism was the main factor to affect HDL2b and its ratio to total HDL in PCOS patients, and it might increase the incidence of atherosclerosis as well as the risk of coronary heart disease.