Inflammatory biomarkers and telomere length in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective To analyze whether leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is impaired in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Design Case–control study. Setting Hospital. Patient(s) A total of 274 women, including 150 patients with PCOS and 124 controls. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systemic arterial pressure, lipid profile, E2 , LH, T, androstenedione, PRL, TSH, sex hormone–binding globulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, free androgen index, and the homeostatic model of insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR) index were analyzed. The LTL evaluation was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Result(s) The PCOS group had higher values for weight, BMI, waist circumference, systolic arterial pressure, triglycerides, LH, T, insulin, CRP, free androgen index, and HOMA-IR compared with the control group. Sex hormone–binding globulin and E2 levels were lower in the PCOS group than in the control group. The LTL did not differ between groups. Age, BMI, and HOMA-IR had no significant effect on LTL. The inflammatory biomarkers CRP and homocysteine were negatively correlated with LTL in patients with PCOS. Conclusion(s) Our results showed no differences in LTL between patients with PCOS and controls, but CRP and homocysteine biomarkers negatively correlated with LTL in the PCOS group.