Follicular fluid soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE): a potential protective role in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Purpose: To explore the relationships between the soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE) and the outcome parameters following in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and investigate the protective effect of sRAGE in PCOS development regarding inflammation.

Methods: We conducted a prospective analysis of a subsample of 74 participants from the Reproductive Medical Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. We quantified sRAGE, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukelin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CPR) protein levels in the follicular fluid from 39 PCOS and 35 non-PCOS reproductive-age women. sRAGE and VEGF, TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP in follicular fluid aspirated without blood were measured by ELISA.

Results: sRAGE concentrations in the follicular fluid were significantly lower in the PCOS group compared to those in the control group, while VEGF, TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP concentrations were significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the control group (P < 0.05). sRAGE was significantly, inversely correlated with the total dose of gonadotropin (Gn) in the PCOS group undergoing IVF treatment (r = -0.451, P = 0.004). After adjusting for age and Gn dose (in international units used per cycle), sRAGE protein levels in the follicular fluid were significantly, inversely related to VEGF (r = -0.378, P = 0.018), TNF-α (r = -0.450, P = 0.004), IL-6 (r = -0.455, P = 0.004), and CRP (r = -0.375, P = 0.019).

Conclusion: sRAGE in the follicular fluid might exert a protective effect against the inflammatory action of PCOS development.