Circulating levels of cyclophilin a in women with PCOS: correlation with clinical and biochemical parameters

Abstract

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are more likely to suffer from obesity, insulin resistance, and chronic low-grade inflammation than other women. Cyclophilin A (CyPA) is known as an inflammatory mediator that is secreted by various types of cells in response to inflammatory stimuli. Previous studies have shown that immunohistochemical expressions and/or circulating levels of CyPA are high in many diseases that cause inflammatory conditions in the body. This study aimed to evaluate serum levels of CyPA and their correlation with clinical and biochemical parameters of women with PCOS. In the study population, we analyzed 49 consecutive patients with PCOS and 30 age and body mass index (BMI)-matched non-PCOS healthy volunteers (Control group). PCOS was diagnosed using Rotterdam criteria. Serum CypA levels were measured using a CyPA ELISA Kit. The relationship between serum CyPA levels and the clinicopathological variables of PCOS were also evaluated. Average levels of CyPA were lower in PCOS subjects than the non-PCOS subjects (21.5 +/- 3.1 and 38.5 +/- 4.2, respectively, P=0.0015). Serum CyPA levels were significantly correlated with homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in the PCOS group (r=0.230, P=0.04 and r=0.302, P=0.006, respectively). There was no correlation between serum CyPA levels and other clinical and biochemical parameters. Our study demonstrates that patients with PCOS have lower circulating levels of CyPA than women with normal ovaries. Decreased CyPA levels may be related to increased insulin resistance in PCOS patients. Further research is needed to evaluate the association between CyPA and PCOS.