Some Altered Trace Elements in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background: Insulin resistance is common in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Trace elements and its correlation with insulin resistance are well documented.

Aim of Study: The current study aimed to determine possible correlations between insulin resistance and some trace elements (molybdenum, manganese, selenium and chromium) in patients with PCOS.

Study Design: Case-control study.

The study was performed in the infertility clinic at Babylon hospital for children and maternity. The duration of this study was from October 2014 to December 2015.

Methodology: The study involved sixty women (thirty women had PCOS and thirty women were controls).

Aspectrophotometrically procedure was used to analyze trace elements (molybdenum, manganese, selenium and chromium) in the serum. In addition the blood glucose and serum insulin during fasting were measured and insulin resistance (IR) was determined using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA).

Results: Body mass index (BMI) in patients with PCOS was increased compared to controls. HOMA and fasting serum insulin were significantly higher in women with PCOS in comparison with controls. There was no difference in blood glucose in women with polycystic ovary in comparison with controls.

The cohort was divided into insulin sensitive (NIR) and insulin resistant (IR) patients with PCOS.

Women with PCOS-IR had significantly lower serum chromium, selenium and molybdenum and higher serum manganese than women with PCOS-NIR (p-value <0.05).

Conclusion: There was a correlation between the levels of serum chromium, selenium, molybdenum and manganese and IR in patients with PCOS.