Serum level of neuregulin 4 and insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome patients in Iraq

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by adiposity and disruptions in the energy metabolic processes of adipose tissue. NRG-4, a protein, is secreted by adipose tissue and plays a role in the regulation of energy metabolism. The purpose of the present study to investigation the relationship between serum level of NRG4 with PCOS patients. In cross-sectional study, there were a total of 120 female participants, who were split up into the following three categories: On the basis of the Rotterdam criteria, there were a total of 90 patients diagnosed with PCOS, including 30 controls, 45 women with normal weight, and 45 women with obesity. The levels of serum NRG4, FBG, insulin, hormone profiles, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were determined. In PCOS groups, the serum levels NRG4 higher than healthy groups. Therefore, the obese PCOS group had higher serum NRG4 levels than the normal-weight PCOS group (P≤0.05). There was a relationship between serum NRG-4 level and other biochemical parameters in the study. NRG-4 was also significantly positively correlated with insulin and HOMA-IR levels in PCOS (obese and normal-weight). Changes in NRG-4 serum levels may serve as a biomarker for polycystic ovary syndrome detection.