Shorakae S, et al. - During this study, the role of high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin and its relationship to sympathetic activity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were investigated. As per the outcomes, increased sympathetic activity correlated with HMW adiponectin levels, alongside insulin resistance. It was determined that sympathetic activity could modulate HMW adiponectin levels in women with PCOS.

Methods

• Using biobanked samples, the researchers designed this cross sectional study.
• They enrolled premenopausal women with PCOS (n = 46, Rotterdam diagnostic criteria) and without PCOS (n = 22).
• Main outcome measures included high-molecular-weight adiponectin levels with secondary outcomes of sympathetic activity and leptin levels.

Results

• In women with PCOS (median 2.2 [interquartile range (IQR)2.3] μg/mL), the high-molecular-weight adiponectin level was lower than in controls (median 3 [IQR2.5] μg/mL) (age and BMI adjusted).
• It associated inversely with the values measured for homeostatic model of assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting insulin, triglycerides, and free androgen index and positively with sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in all participants and in the PCOS group.
• Statistically, significantly higher sympathetic activity (burst frequency) was noted in the PCOS group than in controls (median 26 [IQR11] vs median 22 [IQR14], respectively) and correlated inversely with HMW adiponectin (r = -0.230).
• Between the women with PCOS and controls, the leptin levels were similar and did not statistically significantly correlate with HMW adiponectin or sympathetic activity.
• In PCOS, burst frequency and SHBG explained 40% of the HMW adiponectin variability (B = -0.7; 95% CI -1.2 to -0.2; and B = 0.01; 95% CI 0.004-0.01) in multiple regression analysis.