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Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Mechanisms and Inducing Models of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Published on: July 5, 2024
Serum retinol-binding protein 4 levels in polycystic ovary syndrome
Shilpa Lingaiah1, Laure Morin-Papunen1, Terhi Piltonen1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, PEDEGO Research Unit, Medical Research Centre, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
Objective:
Serum levels of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), an adipokine thought to affect systemic insulin sensitivity, were compared between women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and non-PCOS controls to evaluate the association of RBP4 with clinical, hormonal and metabolic parameters of PCOS.
Subjects And Methods:
Serum RBP4 levels were analysed in 278 women with PCOS (age range 18-57 years) and 191 non-PCOS controls (age 20-53 years) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:
Serum levels of RBP4 were increased in women with PCOS compared with control women in the whole population (45.1 ± 24.0 (s.d.) vs 33.5 ± 18.3 mg/L, P < 0.001). Age-stratified analysis showed that serum RBP4 levels were increased in women with PCOS aged ≤30 years compared with controls (47.7 ± 23.5 vs 27.1 ± 10.4 mg/L, P < 0.001), whereas no significant differences were seen in the other age groups. No significant correlations of RBP4 were seen with either steroids or indices of insulin resistance.
Conclusions:
Although serum RBP4 levels were increased in younger women with PCOS compared with age-matched non-PCOS controls, RBP4 does not seem to be a good marker of insulin resistance or other metabolic derangements in women with PCOS.
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