Is the polycystic ovary syndrome associated with chronic inflammation per se?

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha), TNF-soluble receptors, and IL-6 in obese women without additional diseases and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Study design: The study group consisted of 39 obese women with PCOS and 34 age-matched obese women without additional disease were included as controls. Blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured by the enzymatic procedure. Plasma insulin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), androstenedione, total and free testosterone, cortisol, progesterone, 17OH-progesterone, estradiol, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured by a commercial radioimmunoassay (RIA). Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), soluble TNF receptors (sTNFRs), and IL-6 were determined by an ELISA. Results: We did not observe any differences in serum concentrations of TNF-a between obese women with and without PCOS. Serum concentrations of sTNFRI and sTNFR2 were significantly higher in PCOS patients compared with controls; however, serum concentrations of IL-6 were significantly lower in PCOS patients. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that PCOS is not associated with chronic inflammation. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.