Endotrophin as a novel marker in PCOS and its relation with other adipokines and metabolic parameters: a pilot study

Polycystic ovary syndrome is known to be the most common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age. Current evidence shows that regulatory proteins secreted from the adipose tissue called adipokines may have a role in polycystic ovary syndrome. We planned to investigate the role of endotrophin that has never been researched in polycystic ovary syndrome before and its correlation with other metabolic parameters and adipokines such as adiponectin and ghrelin in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Forty-three women (n: 43) with polycystic ovary syndrome and 43 (n: 43) women as a control group were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Serum levels of endotrophin, adiponectin, and ghrelin levels were measured with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol levels, luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio, total testosterone, and triglyceride levels were measured. Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index, body mass index, Ferriman Gallwey Score, and waist-to-hip ratio were also evaluated.

Total testosterone, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, C-reactive protein, luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio, and triglyceride levels were higher in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (p < 0.01). No difference was detected between the groups in terms of body mass index, Ferriman Gallwey Score, waist-to-hip ratio, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein levels (p > 0.05). We did not observe any significant difference in adiponectin and ghrelin levels between the groups (p > 0.05). Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome had significantly higher endotrophin levels (p < 0.01). According to our regression analyses [area under the curve: 0.973 (0.935-1.000), 95% confidence interval, 95.2% sensitivity, and 100% specificity], it was shown that endotrophin greater than 92 ng/ml and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance greater than 2.5 might be good predictors for polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosis.

We demonstrated that endotrophin level is higher in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and may have predicted polycystic ovary syndrome with increased homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index. There was no significant difference in adiponectin and ghrelin levels in the polycystic ovary syndrome group. Endotrophin may have a role in polycystic ovary syndrome etiology rather than other adipokines.