# The Comparison of Irisin, Subfatin, and Adropin in Normal-Weight and Obese Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients

## TL;DR

This study compares irisin, subfatin, and adropin levels in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome, finding significant differences that may help understand the condition better.

## Contribution

The study identifies altered levels of irisin, subfatin, and adropin in PCOS patients, offering new insights into the metabolic profile of the syndrome.

## Key findings

- Irisin levels were significantly higher in both obese and normal-weight PCOS patients compared to controls.
- Adropin and subfatin levels were significantly lower in PCOS patients than in healthy controls.
- PCOS patients showed elevated insulin, fasting glucose, and luteinizing hormone levels compared to healthy women.

## Abstract

A combination of genetic and environmental factors contribute to the highly common, complex, and varied endocrine condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women. PCOS primarily affects women between the ages of 15 and 35 who are in the early to late stages of pregnancy. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the serum levels of irisin, subfatin, and adropin in PCOS with and without obesity compared to the control group.

The present cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 at Al-Nahrain University/Department of Chemistry (Baghdad, Iraq). The serum levels of irisin, subfatin, and adropin were measured with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Body mass index, lipid profile, insulin, fasting glucose, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone levels were also evaluated. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) by GraphPad Prism software version 8.0.2. A P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The study population comprised PCOS patients (n=90, divided into 45 obese and 45 normal weight) and healthy women (n=30). According to the results, the serum levels of irisin were significantly higher (P<0.001) in obese and normal-weight PCOS patients than controls. While adropin and subfatin were significantly lower in PCOS than controls (P<0.001). Moreover, there are higher levels of serum insulin, fasting glucose, and luteinizing hormone in PCOS women than in healthy women.

According to the findings, PCOS patients had a higher level of irisin than the controls. In addition, decreased subfatin and adropin levels were observed in PCOS patients compared with healthy women. Further research is required to confirm these results in the future.