Peripheral blood-derived cytokine gene polymorphisms and metabolic profile in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background: The imbalance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathways plays a role in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) etiology. We aimed to investigate the relationship between polymorphisms of genes encoding inflammation-associated cytokines and the metabolic profile of Brazilian women with PCOS.

Design: Case-control study.

Methods: The study included 196 women - 97 with PCOS (diagnosed based on Rotterdam criteria, 2003) and 99 age-matched, healthy women (controls). It was investigated polymorphisms in cytokines genes from peripheral blood-derived DNA by using PCR.

Results: The frequencies of alleles, genotypes, and phenotypes were similar between women with PCOS and controls. The GG genotype of the -179C/G polymorphism (IL6) was associated with higher glucose levels, while the GA and AA genotypes of the -1082A/G polymorphism (IL10), CT and TT genotypes of the -819A/T polymorphism (IL10), CA and AA genotypes of the -522A/G (IL10) polymorphism, and TA genotype of the +874T/A polymorphism (IFN-γ) were associated with lower total cholesterol and triglycerides levels. The GA genotype of the -1082A/G polymorphism (IL10) and the CC genotype of the 10T/C polymorphism (TGF-β1) were associated with lower and higher Ferriman indices, respectively, in women with PCOS. The AA genotype of the -1082A/G polymorphism (IL10) was associated with lower glucose levels, while the TC genotype of the 10T/C polymorphism (TGF-β1) was associated with a lower lipid accumulation product index and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the PCOS group.

Conclusions: The genetic polymorphisms of cytokines are not associated with PCOS development, but may contribute to common metabolic disorders associated with PCOS.