MRNA Expression of Adipocytokines and Glucose Transporter Type 4 (GLUT4) in Adipose Tissue in Women With and Without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background: The main feature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is hyperandrogenism, adipocytes hypertrophy and chronic low-grade inflammation. It is known that PCOS is closely linked to functional dysfunction in adipose tissue, which in turn are connected with metabolic disturbances such as insulin resistance. However, there is no complete characterization of the adipose tissue in women with PCOS. Aim: To compare the expression of adipocytokines between women with and without PCOS. Materials and Methods: The total number of twenty two participants were enrolled into the study. Study group included ten women with PCOS diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria, the control group- twelve women without PCOS. Approximately 3 g of tissue was excised from subcutaneous adipose tissue through a small incision in the suprapubic area. mRNA was isolated and gene expression profiling was performed including following genes: GLUT4, irisin, leptin, omentin, vaspin, adiponectin, visfastin, apelin, serum amyloid A1 and chemerin. Blood samples were taken between 3rd and 5th day of the menstrual cycle to evaluate serum hormonal levels. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was done simultaneously with the assessment of glucose and insulin plasma levels at 0, 60 and 120 minute. Results: Patients with PCOS presents different mRNA expression of adipocytokines compared with control group. There were statistically significant differences in irisin, leptin, omentin, visfastin, chemerin and serum amyloid A1 expression, that were higher in PCOS. GLUT-4 and adiponectin expression was significantly lower in PCOS patient compared to control. Due to an insufficient measurement of apelin and vaspin gene expression there were not included in following analysis. Conclusions: mRNA expression of adipocytokines in adipose tissue in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome is different. In women with PCOS, there is a higher expression of genes for most of adipocytokines with lower for adiponectin and GLUT-4.