Expression levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in young and nonobese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background/Aims: The objective of this study was to measure levels of mRNAs for inflammatory markers and resistin in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in young and nonobese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: Fifteen young, nonobese women with PCOS and 10 age-matched controls were enrolled in this study. Levels of mRNAs for resistin and the inflammatory markers interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in human PBMCs were measured using real-time PCR. Results: The mean age and BMI of the women with PCOS were 27.54 ± 6.3 years and 27.4 ± 5.7, respectively. The women with PCOS had significantly higher fasting and 2-hour insulin levels, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA _IR) and total cholesterol levels than the controls. VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 mRNA levels were significantly higher in women with PCOS than in controls, whereas no differences in resistin, IL-6, TNF-α and MCP-1 mRNA levels were observed between the groups. After adjusting for the BMI, only VCAM-1 mRNA levels were significantly higher in women with PCOS than in controls and correlated with the HOMA _IR and total cholesterol. Conclusion: Elevated VCAM-1 in human PBMCs in young, nonobese women with PCOS is associated with insulin resistance, independent of the BMI.