Increased circulating soluble P-selectin in polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: To determine whether the P-selectin-von Willebrand factor (vWF) pathway is altered in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Design: Case-control study. Setting(s): Tertiary care academic medical center. Patient(s): Thirty-two normal glucose-tolerant patients with PCOS and 21 age-and body mass index-matched healthy women were prospectively enrolled. All the patients with PCOS had clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism and chronic oligoanovulation, and 89% had polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin), vWF, total T, sex hormone-binding globulin, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose and insulin, 2-hour glucose, and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance. Result(s): Soluble P-selectin levels were significantly higher in patients with PCOS compared with controls (58.7 ± 19.0 vs. 45.3 ± 15.0 ng/mL), whereas PCOS and control groups had similar vWF levels (46.7 ± 24.2 vs. 39.5 ± 22.3, respectively). There was no correlation between sP-selectin and anthropometric measurements or any of the androgen, lipid, or insulin resistance parameters. Conclusion(s): Our results suggest increments in the circulating sP-selectin concentrations associated with unaltered vWF levels in PCOS. Increased sP-selectin might potentially contribute to the future risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with PCOS.