Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disease of child-bearing period women and one of the main causes of infertility in women. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a multifunctional protein with a series of biological activities. PTX3 participates in the regulation of insulin secretion and glucose metabolism, ovarian cumulus cell function, inflammatory factor activity, androgen metabolism, lipid absorption and transport, and endothelial cell function, thereby improving insulin resistance, promoting follicular development and ovulation, reducing chronic inflammation, inhibiting androgen levels, improving lipid metabolism abnormalities and preventing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases, thus participating in the occurrence of PCOS and its complications. This article reviews the mechanism of PTX3 in PCOS and its complications, trying to provide new ideas and directions for the study of PCOS pathogenesis and its clinical diagnosis and treatment.
C-Reactive Protein/metabolism* ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/physiopathology* ; Serum Amyloid P-Component/metabolism*

BACKGROUNDPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its characteristic symptoms have been associated with physical and psychological issues in women of reproductive age. The current study was conducted in response to the dearth of systematic research related to psychological functioning and quality of life in patients with PCOS in Southwest China, and to determine whether patients with PCOS exhibit poorer mental health (MH) compared to healthy women of the same age and living in the same region, without a PCOS diagnosis.

METHODSWe enrolled 120 outpatients with PCOS and 100 healthy controls in this study. Standardized questionnaires were administered to assess general MH conditions (General Health Questionnaire-12-item version), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), depression (Beck Depression Inventory), as well as health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measured using the 36-item short-form health survey. The independent samples t-test was conducted for continuous study variables. For categorical variables, the Pearson Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression were performed.

RESULTSThe prevalence of anxiety (13.3% vs. 2.0%) and depression (27.5% vs. 3.0%) was higher in patients with PCOS compared to the controls (both P< 0.05). Patients with PCOS had decreased HRQoL. Patients with PCOS who had fertility requirements were more likely to be anxious and depressed than those without fertility requirements (anxiety: 22.6% [12/53] vs. 5.9% [4/67], χ2 = 7.117, P = 0.008; depression: 37.7% (20/53) vs.19.4% (13/67), χ2 = 4.988, P = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONSPCOS and related symptoms may be risk factors for depression and anxiety. Professionals should be concerned with the MH of women with PCOS, and psychological therapy should be considered.

Adult ; Anxiety ; diagnosis ; etiology ; China ; Depression ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Mental Disorders ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; complications ; physiopathology ; psychology ; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To determine serum levels of betatrophin in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the influential factors. 
 METHODS: A total of 100 PCOS patients were enrolled randomly as a PCOS group, and 40 age-matched healthy women were recruited as a normal control (NC) group. Primary clinical or biochemical parameters of the subjects were detected. The results were analyzed by SPSS 19.0.
 RESULTS: Serum betatrophin levels were elevated in the PCOS group compared with the NC group. Serum betatrophin levels were positively correlated with age and Whole Body Insulin Sensitivity Index (WBISI),and negatively correlated with body mass index, fasting insulin(FINS), homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and homeostatic model assessment β cell function (HOMA-β). Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed that age and waist hip ratio (WHR) were independent influential factors for the level of betatrophin. PCOS was more likely to occur in women with higher betatrophin levels.
 CONCLUSION Serum betatrophin levels increase in women with PCOS and they are independently associated with age and WHR. There is no significant correlation between betatrophin and insulin resistance or insulin levels.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Angiopoietin-like Proteins ; blood ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin ; blood ; Insulin Resistance ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; Peptide Hormones ; blood ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; blood ; physiopathology ; Waist-Hip Ratio ; statistics & numerical data

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most popular diseases in obstetrics and gynecology research at internal and abroad at present, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)in the clinical treatment of the disease have the advantage. Clinical epidemiological study of descriptive research method this research adopts investigation, observation of TCM syndromes and improper diet through 401 cases in Jiangsu Province confirmed PCOS patients, to explore the relationship between TCM syndrome type distribution and improper diet factors, and to provide the clinical basis for further etiology of this disease research. TCM syndrome type distribution of the disease is kidney deficiency, phlegm stagnation syndrome, qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome, syndrome of dampness heat of liver channel and is composed of 4 basic syndromes and formed complex syndrome, and the composite and syndrome type (60.85%); combined with the analysis of traditional Chinese medicine dialectical, Pure empirical syndrome this disease (46.88%), followed by the actual card (45.39%), pure deficiency is rare. Improper diet factors associated with the disease, in which improper diet with different TCM syndrome type distribution significantly related. Stagnation of phlegm dampness syndrome is the main syndrome of the disease type, improper diet factors and every syndrome PCOS type distribution is as follows: the partial eclipse fatness greasy with basic syndromes of phlegm dampness stagnation of kidney deficiency syndrome, the nephrasthenia syndrome is less; eating spicy stimulation by basic syndromes of stagnation of Qi and blood stasis; eating cold people the basic certificate type of qi stagnation and blood stasis; The diet of patients are more prone to stagnation of phlegm dampness syndrome.
Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diet ; Eating ; Female ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy differences between acupuncture combined with auricular point sticking therapy and clomiphene oral administration in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODSOne hundred cases of PCOS were randomized into two groups, 50 cases in each one. Acupuncture com bined with auricular point sticking group (group A): acupuncture was applied at Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3) and Zigong (EX-CA 1), once daily; auricular point sticking was applied at Spleen (pi, CO13), Endocrine (neifenmi, CO18), Unterus and Kidney (shen, CO10), t he plaster was changed once a week. Clomiphene grou p (group B): oral clomiphene was prescribed at the 5th day of the menstrual, for 5 consecutive days, totally 3 menstrual cycles was needed. The ovulation induction, pregnancy and menstruation resuming of patients in the two ' , The totally effective rate was 90.00% (45/50) in group A, which was group were observed and compared.

RESULTSThe totally effective rate was 90.0% (45/50) in group A, which was superior to 86.0% (43/50) in group B (P<0.05); the ovulation rate and pregnancy rate were 68.0% (34/50)and 64. 0% (32/50) in group A, whiche were superior to that of group B (all P<0. 05); the menstruation resuming rate was 94.00 (47/50) in group A, which was superior to 88.00 (44/50) in group B (P<0.05). No adverse effect was observed in group A, while in group B, varying degrees of nausea, vomiting, headache and dermatitis were observed in 29 cases, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) like polycystic ovary was observed in 14 cases under the B ultrasound.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture combined with auricular point sticking therapy has a better effect than clomiphene in the treatment of PCOS without any adverse effect.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Ovulation ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts of electroacupuncture (EA) on oocyte quality and pregnant outcome for the patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and explore its potential mechanism.

METHODSSixty-six patients with PCOS and undergoing IVF-ET were divided into two groups randomly, including an observation group (34 cases) and a control group (32 cases). Ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate tablets and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist were administered for long-program superovulation in either group. In observation group, the intervention of EA was applied to Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zigong (EX-CA 1) and Taixi (KI 3) additionally. The pregnant outcome and the levels of stem cell factor (SCF) in the serum and follicular fluid on the day of egg collection were compared between two groups.

RESULTSThe score of kidney deficiency symptoms reduced remarkably after treatment in either group and the improvement in observation group was superior to that in control group (P < 0.01). The fertilization rate [(76.25 +/- 20.33)% vs (66.34 +/- 15.44)%], cleavage rate [(98.66 +/- 3.70)% vs (94.47 +/- 9.45)%] and the rate of high-quality embryos [(60.20 +/- 22.20)% vs (50.55 +/- 16.15)%] in observation group were all superior to those in control group separately (all P < 0.05). Clinical pregnancy rate (46.67%, 14/30) in observation group was higher than that (37.93%, 11/29) in control group, but without statistical difference (P > 0.05). SCF levels in the serum and follicular fluid on the day of ovary collection were higher obviously than those in control group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture plays an active role in the pregnant outcomes of PCOS patients undergoing IVF-ET and it can relieve the symptoms of kidney deficiency in terms of TCM and improve clinical pregnant rate. The results are relevant with the overall adjustment of organic endocrinal system and the local micro-environment of ovary and the improvement of oocyte quality through the up-regulation of SCF level in mechanism.

Adult ; Electroacupuncture ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; blood ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Oocytes ; cytology ; Ovary ; physiopathology ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Stem Cell Factor ; blood ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between 8 endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the serum and insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODSThis study was conducted among 60 patients with PCOS, including 23 with insulin resistance (PCOS-IR) and 37 without insulin resistance (PCOS-NIR), and 29 non-PCOS women seeking medical attention for infertility or menstrual disorder (control group). The serum levels of 6 phthalic acid esters (PEAs), bisphenol A (BPA) and octylphenol (OP) were measured in all the subjects.

RESULTSThe levels of PAEs, BPA and OP showed no significant differences between PCOS patients and the control group (P>0.05). The serum level of OP was significantly lower in patients PCOS-IR than in those with PCOS-NIR (47.89 ng/ml vs 60.24 ng/ml, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPEAs and BPA do not produce obvious effect on the pathogenesis of PCOS or contribute to insulin resistance, but OP may play a role in insulin resistance in PCOS patients.

Adult ; Benzhydryl Compounds ; adverse effects ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Endocrine Disruptors ; adverse effects ; blood ; Environmental Pollutants ; adverse effects ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Phenols ; adverse effects ; blood ; Phthalic Acids ; adverse effects ; blood ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; blood ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is considered to be the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. The involvement of an abnormal menstrual cycle in the etiology of PCOS remains unclear. We aimed to analyze the characteristics of abnormal menstrual cycles and their association with PCOS in community and hospital patient populations.

METHODSWomen with PCOS identified from 2111 permanent female residents in the community of Beijing and 506 outpatients obtained from the reproductive clinic of Peking University Third Hospital were recruited for this study, comprising the PCOS community group and the PCOS hospital group, respectively. Each group was further divided into four subgroups according to the length of menstrual cycles: <21 days; 21-34 days; 35-60 days; and >60 days. Women in each group were interviewed using a questionnaire to assess factors including age, age of menarche, menstrual cycle history, related family history, and modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mF-G) score. All women received transvaginal ultrasound scan and had fasting blood samples taken for endocrine evaluation. A two-tailed P value of <0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTSIn the community population, the prevalence of abnormal menstrual cycle was 27.19% (574/2111). The prevalence of PCOS in the community was 6.11% (129/2111) according to Rotterdam criteria. In the community group, the most common menstrual cycle length was 35-60 days, whereas for the hospital group, it was >60 days. In both the community and hospital groups, the most common phenotype of PCOS was that of Oligo/amenorrhea+PCO+ hyperandrogenism (HA) (O+P+H) (P=0.000). With increasing cycle length of 35-60 days to >60 days, the percentages of Oligo/amenorrhea+PCO (O+P) and O+P+H were found to significantly decrease in the community group and significantly increase in the hospital group (P=0.000 for each). In the hospital group, as the menstrual cycle length increased from 35-60 days to >60 days, the rate of spontaneous abortion increased significantly (P=0.000), meanwhile the rate of poorly-secreted endometrium and abnormal endometrial hyperplasia increased significantly (P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of PCOS in the Beijing community of women was 6.11%. Oligo/amenorrhea was the most common type of abnormal menstrual cycle and may be an indicator for PCOS and endometrial lesions. Gynecologists should seek relevant medical information from women in the community to promptly diagnose PCOS and then follow up patients for potential development of subsequent complications.

Adult ; Endometrial Hyperplasia ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Menstrual Cycle ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; diagnosis ; physiopathology

It is the intent of this investigation to gain an insight into the relationship of serum total adiponectin with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance. Fifty-eight PCOS patients were enrolled (29 with high serum insulin level and 29 without), at the same time, 29 non-PCOS women with normal weight were included as control. The influencing factors of total adiponectin, PCOS and insulin resistance were analyzed. The serum total adiponectin of PCOS patients and all participants were found to be negatively related to waist hip ratio (r = -0.39, r = -0.36) and InHOMA-IR (r = -0.53, r = -0.45), respectively. Adiponectin was not a protective factor of PCOS (P > 0.1), but it was that of PCOS-insulin resistance (OR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.67-0.97; P = 0.02). LH/FSH (OR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.16-1.96; P = 0.01) and InHOMA-IR (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.10-1.44; P = 0.01) were risk factors of PCOS, and waist hip ratio was that of PCOS-insulin resistance (OR = 8.57; 95% CI, 2.14-34.30, P = 0.01). Adiponectin might influence fasting insulin and InHOMA-IR (B = -0.22, P = 0.001; B = -0.02, P = 0.002). These data signify that adiponectin is not directly related with PCOS, but it is related with PCOS-HL Adiponectin might participate in the pathophysiologic mechanism of PCOS by influencing insulin sensitivity.
Adiponectin ; blood ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; physiology ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; blood ; physiopathology ; Waist-Hip Ratio ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Bushen Tongmai Recipe (, BSTMR) on mRNA and protein expressions of protein kinase B alpha (PKB alpha) in hepatic, adipose, muscular, and ovarian tissues of polycystic ovary (PCO) rats with insulin resistance (IR) and to explore the possible molecular mechanism of BSTMR in treating IR and ovulation dysfunction.

METHODSFemale 22-day-old SD rats were injected subcutaneously with sodium prasterone sulfate (9 mg.100g(-1).d(-1)) for 20 days and fed with high-fat diet for 80 days to induce PCO rats with IR. Then, the PCO rats were randomly divided into the model group (n=23) and the treated group (n=21). The treated group was administered with BSTMR for 2 weeks. Meanwhile, a group with 15 rats of the same age was used as the control group. The histological changes in the ovaries were examined. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was determined by the glucose oxidase method. Serum fasting insulin (Fins) was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The mRNA level of PKBalpha was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot analysis were employed to detect the protein expression in target tissues.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the ovaries in the model group showed multiple follicular cysts, levels of FBG and Fins in the model group increased markedly (P<0.05 or P<0.01, respectively), and the insulin sensitive index (ISI) decreased obviously (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expressions of PKBalpha in target tissues in the model group were dramatically lower than those in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the stratum granulosum of the ovarian follicle in the treated group increased markedly, the level of Fins in the treated group decreased obviously (P<0.01), ISI in the treated group improved markedly (P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expressions of PKBalpha in target tissues of the treated rats were elevated significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONBSTMR could improve IR and ovulation dysfunction in PCO rats with IR, and its molecular mechanisms might be closely related with the elevation of mRNA and protein expressions of PKBalpha in target tissues of PCO rats with IR.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Fasting ; blood ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Insulin ; blood ; Insulin Resistance ; physiology ; Organ Specificity ; drug effects ; Ovary ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley