Afamin serum concentrations are associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background: High plasma concentrations of the vitamin E-binding protein afamin have been previously shown to be associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. We set out to determine whether the concentration of afamin in the serum of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is elevated in relation to the presence and severity of insulin resistance (IR).

Methods: This cross-sectional study looked at 53 patients with PCOS and 49 non-PCOS patients.

Analytical characterization and clinical evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measurement of afamin in human plasma.

Background: Comparative proteomics has recently identified afamin, the newest member of the albumin gene family, as a potential biomarker for ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was the analytical and clinical evaluation of a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the determination of afamin in human plasma.

Methods: We evaluated precision, linearity, and detection limit of the assay, analyte stability and biological variability, determined reference values and quantified afamin concentrations in various diseases.