Oxidative stress is considered to be implicated in the pathophysiology of
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study was designed to evaluate the
paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity and
oxidant/
antioxidant status in Saudi women with PCOS and its contribution to the risk of
atherosclerosis.
Lipid profile, hormonal parameters, serum PON1 activity and
oxidant (
malondialdehyde)/
antioxidant (total
antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels were analyzed in 35 patients with PCOS and 30 healthy controls using a spectrophotometric method; correlation analysis was made between these variables.
Insulin resistance was calculated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). Women with PCOS had significantly higher fasting
insulin, HOMA-IR and LH levels than controls.
Lipid profiles and free
androgen index (FAI) were significantly higher in women with PCOS when compared with controls. Serum PON1 activity was lower in the PCOS group (161.2+/-6.1U/l vs. 217.6+/-9.3U/l, p<0.001) compared with controls, whereas
malondialdehyde levels were higher in the PCOS group (4.26+/-0.18nmol/ml vs. 1.37+/-0.12nmol/ml, p<0.001) compared with controls. Total
antioxidant capacity was lower in the PCOS group (0.88+/-0.10mmolTrolox/l vs. 1.63+/-0.17mmolTrolox/l, p<0.001) compared with controls. In PCOS group, serum PON1 was positively correlated with HDL-C (r=0.425, p<0.05) and TAC (r=0.582, p<0.01) but inversely correlated with HOMA-R (r=-0.54, p<0.01),
testosterone (r=-0.672, p<0.01), FAI (r=-0.546, p<0.01) and
malondialdehyde (r=-0.610, p<0.01). In conclusion, our data indicate that PON1 activity and
antioxidant status were significantly decreased in Saudi women with PCOS. Lower serum PON1 activity might contribute to the increased susceptibility for the development of
atherosclerosis risk in Saudi women with PCOS. Therefore, measurement of serum PON1 activity may be of value in assessment of women at higher risk for development of
atherosclerosis risk in PCOS. However, further studies with larger sample size are needed to verify these results, and to assess the efficacy of
antioxidant therapy on these patients.