Clomiphene citrate increases nitric oxide, interleukin-10 and reduces matrix metalloproteinase-9 in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objectives: Matrix metalloproteinase-9, Nitric oxide and inflammation plays a role in the pathogenesis of poly cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Even though these parameters are altered in PCOS, the effect of clomiphene citrate on them has not been studied till date. The present study was done to assess the effect of clomiphene citrate on matrix metalloproteinase-9, nitric oxide and interleukin-10 levels in women with PCOS.

Study Design: 72 women diagnosed with PCOS were enrolled in the study. Matrix metalloproteinase-9, nitric oxide and interleukin-10 levels were compared at baseline and after three weeks following Clomiphene citrate treatment.

Results: Clomiphene citrate increases both nitric oxide (p = 0.03) and interleukin-10 (p < 0.001) levels and reduces matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels (p < 0.001) in women with PCOS. It also improves the ovulation rate (52.8%) and clinical pregnancy rate (19.4%) in PCOS. Also there was a significant reduction in matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels in both the ovulatory (p < 0.001) and conceived groups (p = 0.024) compared to non ovulatory and non conceived group. There was no difference in nitric oxide and interleukin-10 levels in ovulatory and conceived groups compared to non ovulatory and non conceived group.

Conclusion: We conclude that clomiphene citrate increases the levels of nitric oxide and interleukin-10 and decreases the matrix metalloproteinase - 9 levels and improves the ovulation rate and clinical pregnancy rate in PCOS.