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Serum Osteoprotegerin Concentrations are Decreased in Women with the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

H Escobar-Morreale, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
J Botella-Carretero, Endocrinology, Hospital Ramon y Cajal & Universidad de Alcala, Madrid, Spain
M Martinez-Garcia, Endocrinology, Hospital Ramon y Cajal & Universidad de Alcala, Madrid, Spain
M Luque-Ramirez, Endocrinology, Hospital Ramon y Cajal & Universidad de Alcala, Madrid, Spain

Correspondence: Jose Botella-Carretero, Email: jbotella.hrc{at}salu.madrid.org

Abstract

Objective: Osteoprotegerin, an inhibitor of osteoclastic bone resoption, has a variety of functions including anti-inflammatory effects and a possible cardiovascular protective role. Both low-grade chronic inflammation and cardiovascular risk are increased in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We aimed to study serum osteoprotegerin concentrations in PCOS patients.

Design: Case-control study including forty PCOS patients matched with 40 non-hyperandrogenic women for age and body mass index (BMI)

Methods: Basal serum sampling and standard oral glucose tolerance test, and measurement of serum osteoprotegerin concentrations by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Serum osteoprotegerin concentrations were lower in women with PCOS compared to those of controls (304±120 vs 363±105 pg/mL, respectively; F = 7.641, P = 0.007) independently of obesity. No differences were observed in serum RANKL levels and in the RANKL / osteoprotegerin molar ratio. A multivariate linear regression model (R2 = 0.208, F = 6.579, P = 0.001) showed that PCOS (β = -0.281, P = 0.008), obesity (β = -0.245, P = 0.022) and age (β = 0.296, P = 0.006) were predictive of serum osteoprotegerin concentrations.

Conclusions: Serum osteoprotegerin concentrations are reduced in PCOS patients independently of obesity. Considering the anti-inflammatory effects of osteoprotegerin, its reduced serum concentrations might contribute to the proinflammatory state and cardiovascular risk of PCOS patients.