The role of adipokines in polycystic ovary syndrome

master's thesis

• Author: Maja Šikić
• Mentor: Dinka Pavičić-Baldani (mentor)
• Committee member: Marina Šprem Goldštajn (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Tomislav Čanić (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Dinka Pavičić-Baldani (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2014-07-15, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences; Gynecology and Obstetrics

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an exceedingly complex endocrine, reproductive
and metabolic disorder of a diverse and still unclear pathogenesis. PCOS affects
approximately 10% of women of reproductive age and is considered one of the most
common endocrine and reproductive disturbances in its group (1)(2). The syndrome is
clinically characterised by oligo/anovulation and infertility, hirsutism and abdominal obesity
(3).
However, the absence of clearly defined causative factors and mechanisms has
historically made research and collaboration regarding PCOS difficult. Nevertheless,
recently, European and American communities have come to a consensus regarding the
definition of PCOS. The current requirement for diagnosis of PCOS necessitates that at least
two of the following criteria are present: ultrasound evidence of polycystic ovaries,
oligo/anovulation and/or biochemical evidence of hyperandrogenism after the exclusion of
other conditions which cause the same features (4)(2).
In addition to the reproductive abnormalities, most women diagnosed with PCOS are
predisposed to obesity and insulin resistance as well as dyslipidemia and hypertension (5). In
other words, there is a high incidence of metabolic syndrome in patients with PCOS. This
encompasses the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Clearly it is the high incidence as well as the yet unknown mechanisms linking PCOS to metabolic and
vascular abnormalities which make PCOS of high socioeconomic importance.
Additionally, the amelioration of these metabolic and vascular abnormalities has been
shown to improve hyperandrogenism and fertility and subsequently requires more scientific
elucidation (5). Recent studies have focused on the role of obesity, or more specifically the
role of various adipocytes in PCOS.
It has been shown that adipocytes are secretory cells that produce a number of proteins
with hormonal type functions, collectively referred to as adipokines. In this review we see
that a number of studies have shown that the secretion of various adipokines is disrupted in
PCOS (6)(7) and that it is considered that this disruption of adipokine secretion could be a
significant predictor of metabolic and vascular disease in patients with PCOS (8)(5)(9).
Current research is aimed at further elucidating this connection because the early detection of
these associated diseases would allow preventative treatment and subsequently result in
improved clinical outcome, and improved quality of life for patients with PCOS.

• Keywords: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); adipokines; anovulation; hyperandrogenism
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:054209
• Study programme: Title: Medicine (in English language); Study programme type: university; Study level: integrated undergraduate and graduate; Academic / professional title: doktor/doktorica medicine (doktor/doktorica medicine)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2015-12-03 12:39:35