Role of Oxidative Stress in Obese and Nonobese PCOS Patients

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the oxidant-antioxidant status, endothelial dysfunction, lipid metabolism, and metabolic syndrome risk in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Forty-five obese (BMI >30 kg/m2) woman diagnosed with PCOS in the study, forty-five nonobese (BMI <30 kg/m²) PCOS diagnosis working groups, and forty-nine healthy control groups were created with patients. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels with antioxidant activities, such as SOD, GSH, GPx, and CAT activities, were measured by spectrophotometry.

There was a statistically significant difference in the mean serum MDA level in the obese PCOS group compared to the nonobese group and the control group (p < 0.001). When the antioxidant parameters, such as SOD, GPx, GSH, and CAT, were compared with the healthy control group, nonobese, and obese PCOS groups, the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). A positive correlation was observed between MDA and BMI, triglyceride, LDL, SBP, DBP, and HOMA-IR in the PCOS patient group.

Oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant parameters in PCOS patients were correlated with hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia findings, and we think that this oxidative stress condition may contribute to metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases in PCOS patients.