Strong and positive association of endothelin-1 with AGEs in PCOS: a causal relationship or a bystander?

OBJECTIVE

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) activate the intracellular Nuclear Factor-κB pathway in endothelial cells, leading to production of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a peptide which causes endothelial dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to assess ΕΤ-1 and AGEs levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and controls and to investigate any potential relationship between them.

DESIGN

Metabolic and hormonal data from 75 women with PCOS and 25 controls, matched for age and ΒΜΙ were analyzed and correlated to AGEs and ET-1 levels.

RESULTS

Serum levels of ΕΤ-1 (1.55±0.13 vs. 0.37±0.10 pmol/l, p:0.003) and AGEs (8.34±1,81 vs. 5.77±0.78U/ml, p:0.002) were significantly higher in the PCOS group. ΕΤ-1 was correlated with AGES (r:0.54, p<0.001), Testosterone (r: 0.38, p<0.001), ΔΑ4 (r: 0.41, p<0.001) and FAI (r: 0.21, p<0.05). However, multiple linear regression analysis in the total study population showed that ΕΤ-1 was positively associated only with AGES (β: 0.22, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

ET-1 levels were positively and strongly associated with AGEs in both PCOS women and controls, suggesting that the detrimental effect of AGEs on endothelial cells may involve increased ET-1 production.