Assessment of the association between the galectin-3, inflammatory mediators, and insulin resistance in polycystic ovarian syndrome among libyan women

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (POCS) can develop in women of reproductive age. Obesity, genetics, lifestyle, and environment may induce POCS. Hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance (IR) are the main hormonal abnormalities of PCOS. Galectin-3 is linked to insulin resistance and may be a biomarker for early diabetes and prediabetes diagnosis. Gal-3 is also a monocyte-released chemotactic factor and a cell survival and proliferation regulator. This case-control study included 170 women divided into two groups: 85 females with PCOS and 85 females of the same age without PCOS and in a healthy state to serve as controls. The primary markers in this study (human Galectin-3, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and insulin) were measured using the ELISA technique. In addition, the FBS, HbA1c, HOMA-IR and BMI were evaluated. The results of Galectin-3, Interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, insulin, FBS, HbA1c, HOMA IR, and BMI showed an apparent increase in patients compared to healthy people, which resulted in a significant difference with a p-value (<0.0001). A positive correlation between IL-6 and insulin (r=0.361) and between FBS and HOMA (r=0.770), as well as insulin and HOMA (r=0.618). In contrast, a negative correlation was found between IL-6 and FBS (r = 0.230). These findings suggest a complex relationship between inflammatory markers and metabolic disorders in PCOS. In conclusion, the increase in galectin-3, IL-6, and CRP and its relation with glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, as well as obesity in PCOS, suggest that PCOS is considered a multifactorial and highly complex syndrome, and further studies are required to understand the precise underlying pathogenesis.