Induction of oxidative stress and human leukocyte/endothelial cell interactions in polycystic ovary syndrome patients with insulin resistance.

CONTEXT

Insulin resistance is a feature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and is related to mitochondrial and endothelial function.

OBJECTIVE

We tested whether hyperandrogenic insulin-resistant women with PCOS, who have an increased risk of vascular disease, display impaired leukocyte-endothelium interactions, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

DESIGN AND SETTING

This was a prospective controlled study conducted in an academic medical center.

PATIENTS

The study population consisted of 43 lean reproductive-age women with PCOS and 39 controls subjects.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We evaluated anthropometric and metabolic parameters, adhesion molecules, and interactions between leukocytes and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Mitochondrial function was studied by assessing mitochondrial oxygen consumption, membrane potential, reactive oxygen species production, glutathione levels (GSH), and the oxidized glutathione (GSSG)/GSH ratio in polymorphonuclear cells.

RESULTS

Impairment of mitochondrial function was observed in the PCOS patients, evident in a decrease in oxygen consumption, an increase in reactive oxygen species production, a decrease in the GSH/GSSG ratio and GSH levels, and an undermining of the membrane potential. PCOS was related to a decrease in polymorphonuclear cell rolling velocity and an increase in rolling flux and adhesion. Increases in IL-6 and TNFα and adhesion molecules (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin) were also observed.

CONCLUSION

This study supports the hypothesis of an association between insulin resistance and an impaired endothelial and mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. The evidence obtained shows that the inflammatory state related to insulin resistance in PCOS induces a leukocyte-endothelium interaction. These findings may explain the increased risk of vascular disease in women with PCOS.