Objective:

To evaluate serum total and lipid bound sialic acid (TSA&LBSA) levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Material and Methods:

Forty women with PCOS and 35 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum TSA, LBSA, follicle stimulating hormone, lutenizing hormone, estradiol, thyroid stimulating hormone, prolactin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, androstenedione, free testosterone, total testosterone, 17-OH progesterone, sex hormone binding globulin, cortisol, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein were measured in each subject. Insulin resistance was estimated by fasting insulin level, fasting glucose: insulin ratio and 75-g glucose tolerance test for 2 hours.

Results:

Serum TSA levels were not significantly different between the groups. Serum LBSA levels were higher in patients with PCOS compared to the control group. TSA was correlated with androstenedione and HOMA-IR in the PCOS group. Positive correlations were found between LBSA and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in patients with PCOS. After correction for BMI, the only existing significant correlation was between LBSA and follicle stimulating hormone.

Conclusion:

Serum LBSA levels, which has previously been found to be higher in cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus, are elevated in PCOS.

Keywords: Polycystic ovary syndrome, total sialic acid, lipid bound sialic acid, risk