A Potential Pathological Role of Wingless Type1 Inducible Signaling Pathway Protein-1 and Betatrophin in Obese Women with Polyststic Ovary Syndrome

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a common female endocrinopathy. It is associated with adipokines dysfunctional secretion pattern and insulin resistance, which is considered as the main reason for its clinical feature. Wingless type1 inducible signaling pathway protein-1 is a novel adipokine that displays insulin resistance and adipose tissue inflammation where it strongly related to adipocyte accumulation and regeneration. Betatrophin has a potential role in pancreatic beta-cell proliferation and obesity and several studies showed inconsistent betatrophin levels in patients with diabetes and obesity but, its relation to polycystic ovary syndrome is unclear.

Aim: Investigation of the role of serum wingless type1 inducible signaling pathway protein-1 and betatrophin in normal weight and obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Studying their association with other markers, then determine whether obesity and insulin resistance is associated with them.

Methods: Wingless type1 inducible signaling pathway protein-1 and betatrophin serum levels were measured in 44 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (22 obese and 22 non-obese) and 44 matched control (22 obese and 22 non-obese) females using specific ELISA kits.

Results: Betatrophin and wingless type1 inducible signaling pathway protein-1 levels were elevated in the polycystic ovary syndrome group (49.4 pg/ml, 187.6 pg/ml) than in the control group (32.08 pg/ml, 108.4 pg/ml) respectively. Moreover, their levels were higher in the obese subgroup than in normal weight subgroup. There were positive correlations between wingless type1 inducible signaling pathway protein-1 and betatrophin in non-obese (r=0.89, p=0.0001***) and in obese (r=0.78, p=0.0001***) polycystic ovary syndrome groups.

Conclusion: Betatrophin and wingless type1 inducible signaling pathway protein-1 are associated with adiposity and insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome. Hence wingless type1 inducible signaling pathway protein-1 and betatrophin may play a role in the incidence of polycystic ovary syndrome. They may be valuable in diagnosis and prediction of polycystic ovary syndrome patients.