Scarinci E, Tropea A, Russo G, Notaristefano G, Messana C, Alesiani O, Fabozzi S M, Lanzone A, Apa R

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy. elisascarinci.md@gmail.com.| Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.| Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.| Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.| Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.| Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.| Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.| Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.| Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.

J Endocrinol Invest. 2019 Jan;42(1):91-96. doi: 10.1007/s40618-018-0891-3. Epub

PURPOSE: To investigate a possible relation between fibulin-1 plasma levels and PCOS. DESIGN: ELISA quantitative determination of human fibulin-1.
METHODS: 50 women with PCOS and 40 control patients who attended the Unit of Human Reproductive Pathophysiology, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, were enrolled. Ultrasonographic pelvic examinations, hormonal profile assays, oral tolerance test OGTT, lipid profile and ELISA quantitative determination of human fibulin-1 were performed.
RESULTS: Fibulin-1 levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in PCOS patients than in matched control women. No statistically significant positive correlation was found between fibulin-1 and AUCi, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, LDL, AMH, androstenedione and FAI, whereas a statistically significant positive correlation was found between fibulin-1 and 17OHP (p = 0.016) in the PCOS group. However, multivariable linear regression analysis showed that 17 OH P did not independently predict fibulin-1 levels (p = 0.089).
CONCLUSIONS: Our data could contribute to explain the hypothesized increased cardiovascular risk and vascular damage in patients with PCOS. A better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in cardiometabolic disorders associated with PCOS is mandatory to identify new therapeutic strategies to eventually prevent the progression of cardiovascular diseases in these patients.

Jansen Erik, Laven Joop S E, Dommerholt Henri B R, Polman Jan, van Rijt Cindy, van den Hurk Caroline, Westland Jolanda, Mosselman Sietse, Fauser Bart C J M

Global Business Inteligence Center, NV Organon, PO Box 20, 5340 BH Oss, The Netherlands. erik.jansen@organon.com

Mol Endocrinol. 2004 Dec;18(12):3050-63. doi: 10.1210/me.2004-0074. Epub 2004 Aug

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) represents the most common cause of anovulatory infertility and affects 5-10% of women of reproductive age. The etiology of PCOS is still unknown. The current study is the first to describe consistent differences in gene expression profiles in human ovaries comparing PCOS patients vs. healthy normoovulatory individuals. The microarray analysis of PCOS vs. normal ovaries identifies dysregulated expression of genes encoding components of several biological pathways or systems such as Wnt signaling, extracellular matrix components, and immunological factors. Resulting data may provide novel clues for ovarian dysfunction in PCOS. Intriguingly, the gene expression profiles of ovaries from (long-term) androgen-treated female-to-male transsexuals (TSX) show considerable overlap with PCOS. This observation provides supportive evidence that androgens play a key role in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Presented data may contribute to a better understanding of dysregulated pathways in PCOS, which might ultimately reveal novel leads for therapeutic intervention.