Apelin levels in relation with hormonal and metabolic profile in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: To evaluate serum concentrations of apelin in relation to the hormonal and metabolic profile in patients with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Study design: A total of 45 women with PCOS and 45 age-matched controls were eligible for the study. Hirsutism scores, hormonal and metabolic profile as well as apelin levels were evaluated in each subject. Results: Women with PCOS exhibited lower serum concentrations of apelin than controls (194.1 +/- 50.7 pg/ml versus 292.1 +/- 85.6 pg/ml, p < 0.001). Apelin levels were significantly correlated positively with body mass index (BMI), insulin, triglyceride (TG), free testosterone (fT) levels, modified Ferriman Gallwey scores and Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) index; but negatively correlated with high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in patients with PCOS (p < 0.05). When overweight or obese (BMI >= 25) and normal weight (BMI < 25) women with PCOS were compared to BMI-matched controls, lower apelin levels were found in the PCOS group (226.7 +/- 45.4 pg/ml versus 378.6 +/- 80.9 pg/ml and 165.5 +/- 36.1 versus 249.0 +/- 46.6 pg/ml, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The data suggest that serum apelin levels are lower in women with PCOS than in controls. Furthermore, apelin can be used as a specific marker for insulin sensitivity and lipid profile and this adipokine might play a role in the pathogenesis of PCOS. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.