Determination of serum levels of visfatin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective To explore serum levels of visfatin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as well as their clinical significance. Methods Ninety patients with PCOS and 30 ovulating healthy women with body mass index (BMI) less than 25 as controls were recruited. PCOS patients were divided to two groups, 48 in obese group with BMI≥ 25 and 42 in non-obese group with BMI<25. Serum level of visfatin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and that of Hs-CRP was assayed by immunoturbidimetry in all participants. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin sensitivity were assessed in PCOS patients only. Results ①Obese and non-obese patients with PCOS beth presented markedly higher serum levels of visfatin and Hs-CRP than those in controls (t=11.35, 8.46, 10.43 and 8.25, respectively, P<0.05), and levels of visfatin and Hs-CRP were higher in obese group than those in non-obese group (t=7.74 and 6.38, respectively, P< 0.05 ). ②Univariate analysis revealed that serum levels of visfatin and Hs-CRP positively correlated with BMI and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance, respectively (P<0.05) and serum level of visfatin positively correlated with that of Hs-CRP (P<0.05). Conclusions Chronic inflammation possibly exists in patients with PCOS, which may cause their serum visfatin and Hs-CRP levels increased. Key words: Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS);  Cytokines;  C-reative protein;  Inflammation