Clinical significance of ADAMTS1, ADAMTS5, ADAMTS9 aggrecanases and IL-17A, IL-23, IL-33 cytokines in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Purpose: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders among women of reproductive age. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin-like motifs (ADAMTS) are involved in inflammation and fertility. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the serum levels of ADAMTS1, ADAMTS5, ADAMTS9, IL-17, IL-23, IL-33 and to find out the relationship between these inflammatory cytokines and ADAMTSs in PCOS patients.

Methods: A case-control study was performed in a training and research hospital. Eighty patients with PCOS and seventy-eight healthy female volunteers were recruited in the present study. Serum ADAMTS and IL levels were determined by a human enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) in all subjects.

Results: The IL-17A, IL-23 and IL-33 levels were significantly higher in the PCOS patients compared to the controls (p < 0.05). We could not find significant difference between the groups in terms of ADAMTS1, ADAMTS5 and ADAMTS9 levels. IL-17A had positive correlations with LDL cholesterol and IL-33 and negative correlations with ADAMTS1, ADAMTS5, and ADAMTS9. IL-33 had positive correlation with LDL cholesterol and IL-17A. In ROC curve analysis, PCOS can be predicted by the use of IL-17A, IL-23 and IL-33 which at a cut-off value of 8.37 pg/mL (44 % sensitivity, 83 % specificity), 26.75 pg/mL (36 % sensitivity, 64 % specificity) and 14.28 pg/mL (83 % sensitivity, 39 % specificity), respectively.

Conclusions: The results of the study might suggest that ADAMTS and IL molecules have a role in the pathogenesis of the PCOS. Further efforts are needed to establish causality for ADAMTS-IL axis.