AI Insight
This case-control study of 96 women found that circulating levels of C1q/TNF-related protein-1 (CTRP-1) were significantly elevated in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) compared to healthy controls (54.9 vs 26.6 ng/mL). CTRP-1 levels correlated with multiple metabolic and hormonal parameters including BMI, insulin resistance, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and anti-Müllerian hormone, and remained independently associated with PCOS even after adjusting for age and BMI. The findings suggest CTRP-1 may serve as a potential biomarker for metabolic dysregulation in PCOS, though the authors appropriately note the need for validation in larger studies.
Why it matters
PCOS affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age and is associated with metabolic dysfunction, infertility, and cardiovascular risk. Identifying novel biomarkers like CTRP-1 could improve diagnosis, risk stratification, and potentially lead to targeted therapeutic approaches for managing the metabolic complications of PCOS.
Understand the Science
by Cavide Ali, Alper Şayir, Feride Öçba, Deniz Öztürk Atan, Melike Sevde Harmancı, Mustafa Cem Sürecek, Hacer Cavidan Gülerman
Objective
To investigate circulating C1q/TNF-related protein-1 (CTRP-1) levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and evaluate its potential association with metabolic and reproductive features of the syndrome.
Methods
A prospective cross-sectional case–control study was conducted between October 2021 and March 2022 including 96 women (48 with PCOS and 48 controls) aged 15–40 years. PCOS was diagnosed according to the 2003 Rotterdam criteria. Anthropometric measurements and fasting venous blood samples were obtained during the early follicular phase. Serum CTRP-1 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Metabolic and hormonal parameters, including HOMA-IR, AMH, and androgen levels, were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) adjusted for age and body mass index (BMI) were performed.
Results
Serum CTRP-1 levels were significantly higher in women with PCOS compared with controls (54.9 ± 5.2 vs. 26.6 ± 4.8 ng/mL, p < 0.001). CTRP-1 concentrations were associated with several metabolic and hormonal parameters, including BMI, fasting insulin, triglyceride levels, HDL cholesterol, and AMH. ROC curve analysis demonstrated excellent discriminatory ability within this cohort, although these findings should be interpreted cautiously given the relatively small sample size and case–control design. In multivariable analysis adjusting for age and BMI, CTRP-1 remained independently associated with PCOS (β = 28.97, p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Circulating CTRP-1 levels are elevated in women with PCOS and appear to be associated with both metabolic and reproductive characteristics of the syndrome. CTRP-1 may represent a potential biomarker related to metabolic dysregulation in PCOS; however, larger prospective and multicenter studies are required to validate its clinical and diagnostic utility.
Source: Circulating CTRP-1 levels are elevated in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A case–control study